Oxford Dictionary defines elation as 'a feeling of great joy or pride' 'exultant gladness' 'high spirits'
We've reserved 'elation' for the big stuff in life. We resort to - happy content or satisfied for the most bit when describing a situation, an event or parts of our life.
Ever since my mom got sick, I had to recalibrate ‘elation’ in my life. Rather I was forced to. In doing so, it dawned on me that states of elation exist outside of big events in our lives. We somehow do not assign the emotion of elation to them.
Presenting you with 12 specific States of Elation, that are modelled after my own experiences as well as inspiration I’ve drawn from people in my life and observations I’ve made through the years…
1. The feeling that comes over you, when you get to watch your parents retire after years of hard work. Watch them plan a vacation or spend time with their grandchildren.
2. Those brief moments after you’ve paid off debt - be it a student loan, a car loan, or a home loan. That's a state of elation
3. The state of elation that takes over after ticking off every single task on your to-do list (professional or personal alike) Pure bliss.
4. The minutes/hours/days after you’ve finally quit a job you once loved, but gradually became detrimental to your health and well-being.
5. Completing a 90-day challenge you set for yourself. It could have been about going to the gym more consistently or cooking more or writing more or completing a course or even meditation every morning.
6. The feeling that overcomes you after reconnecting with a human you had a falling out with or lost all contact with. Be it a friend, a cousin, an aunt, an old colleague, or even a parent.
7. Elevated state of elation - successfully sleep training your child and establishing a more set routine.
8. Those precious minutes after you are told the medical reports/scans are all clear after a struggle with a disease/ailment. (either your own or a family member's)
9. The moments that feel like hours, after you come out to your parents and family and their reactions are more accepting than you imagined or planned for.
10. Getting back on your bike or into your car for the first time after an accident that left you hurt and afraid
11. The sense of triumph you walk around with for the rest of the day after you get that promotion you worked for but simultaneously doubted yourself about. That is a state of elation
12. a state of elation mixed in with pride, when you look on a completed personal project - it could be painted walls, a home garden, a book you completed, the toilet you fixed…
“Just make sure you notice the collateral beauty”
- Helen Mirren Collateral Beauty
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