50 Times People Found Unexpectedly Wholesome Posts On The Internet Where Strangers Had Each Other’s Backs (New Pics)
You know, Pandas, it’s really way too easy to focus just on the negatives. In fact, we’re hard-wired for that. It’s called negativity bias and it means that we dwell on the awful things that have happened to us more than the awesome ones. So with all the news about just how bad things are looking recently, you’d be perfectly right to be anxious and upset. However, we shouldn’t forget that, at the same time, life’s full of beauty, wonder, and wholesomeness. Albus Dumbledore told us that happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, but we have to remember to turn on the light. Well, let’s turn that light on, shall we?
Today, we’re featuring the best posts from the r/gatesopencomeonin subreddit, a 356k-member-strong community that celebrates people acting excellent and being wholesome to each other. It’s the kind of stuff that really restores part of your hope in humanity. And it’s a reminder that we have to strive to be altruistic and kind, especially when things are looking tough.
Upvote your fave pics as you’re scrolling down, Pandas. And tell us all about the nicest thing you’ve done for someone recently, in the comments. Meanwhile, check out Bored Panda’s interview about how to live a happy and healthy life, as well as how to be nice to others when we don’t feel like it, with writer Ariane Sherine, the author of ‘How to Live to 100’ and ‘Talk Yourself Better.’
Oh, and if you’d like some more proof that people totally have the potential to be awesome, take a peek at our earlier articles about the ‘Gates Open, Come On In’ community here: Part 1 and Part 2.
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I Needed To Hear This. I'm So Tired
A Guide To Gift Giving
A Surprise Happy Ending?
The ‘Gates Open, Come On In’ subreddit has been delighting redditors (and more!) around the globe since early 2018. In the 4+ years since being founded, it’s carved out a niche of wholesomeness, hope, and good vibes by being the polar opposite of r/gatekeeping.
They only have two rules: there’s no gatekeeping allowed and you have to be nice. That’s it. Really. It’s a pretty straightforward recommendation for living a good life, isn’t it? Besides, it’s refreshing when you focus on the positives for a change, isn’t it?
Better Late Than Never
The last sentence explains it perfectly. Although there is an expiration date and that is death.
Remember, Everyone Has A Purpose
An Email From My Computer Science Teacher, Who I’m Not Even Taking A Class With This Semester. Genuinely Want To Cry Rn
(Probably) everyone wants to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. But it’s a hard thing to do in practice, especially when you’re bound by doubt, anxiety, and fear. Bored Panda reached out to author Ariane, who has written about health and happiness, to understand what contributes to our satisfaction with life the most. Really, it’s mostly about altruism and having a tight-knit social circle (among a few other things).
“Close, fulfilling relationships with others are one of the most important things when it comes to happiness, whether romantic or platonic. Studies show that the more close friendships and relationships you have, the longer you live,” Ariane shared with Bored Panda. “Volunteering and helping others are also likely to make you happy.”
Be Free To Like Things
Me: yeah, I'm really into real ales and metal music. Rando: oh really? What year was the first IPA sold internationally and what blood type is James Hatfield?
One Letter Makes All The Difference!
This Made Me Really Happy
Other things that play an important role in our overall happiness include being fit, having a fulfilling career, and not focusing on the material side of things too much.
“There are other things that contribute to happiness and well-being including taking regular exercise, eating healthily, having enough money to feel comfortable, having job security, and enjoying experiences rather than possessions,” the writer explained.
True Spirit
Making A Kid’s Day!
Just Let Them Be They
“Self-care and taking time for yourself are also very important. But I'd say close relationships are probably the most essential things to happiness,” she stressed what we should all be focusing on the most.
It’s easy to be kind to someone when we’re feeling great, the sun’s shining, and it’s like we’re on top of the world. It’s far harder when we’re miserable, exhausted, and feeling down. Bored Panda wanted to get Ariane’s advice on how to be nice to someone when we’re down in the dumps and overwhelmed with problems.
Unexpected Coming Out Story
Never Walk Without A Bro
Grandmas Are Always A Bastion Of Wholesomeness
“It's worth remembering that being kind to others can also lift you up too. In fact, the easiest way to take your mind off your own problems is to help someone else with theirs,” she said.
“But if you're feeling really lethargic and low, the best thing is probably to sleep, or at least rest,” the author pointed out that there’s nothing wrong with getting some well-deserved rest. Getting some proper sleep is a piece of advice that really deserves more attention than it gets.
Wear Whatever Makes You Happy!
So many schoolboys protesting their school's dresscode by wearing skirts (not allowed to wear shorts in the heat). Why not just keep the skirt? They are amazingly comfortable in the summer :)
Liberal Arts
I Love Sharing My Book Collection
It doesn’t matter if you read classic literature, crime fiction, graphic novels or young adult stories…reading what you enjoy is the whole point.
I usually, playfully say: "ooh i'm so jeleaous, i wish i could read/watch that again for the first time!".
I do too. Not as a strategy, but because it's true.
Load More Replies...I have never read most classic books ie Anne of Green gables, to kill a mockingbird, little women, 1984, pride and prejudice, Moby d**k, war and peace etc. I don't care if people try shame me for it, doesn't mean I'm gonna read them. I have tried reading a few classic style books and found them too hard to read. It's like I need a dictionary beside me to understand the old language used. Not my cup of tea. Worst book I ever read was The thorn birds which is an Australian classic. I will pass thanks.
1984, tried to read that a couple of times, could not get into it, then one day tried again, and I read it, enjoyed it and is now one of my favourite books. Sometimes you have to be the right mood, level of being awake, etc etc. Honestly, I recommend it. Also To Kill a Mockingbird, I cannot tell you how good this book is.
Load More Replies...It shouldn't matter what it is you're reading, so long as you're reading. Literacy rates would skyrocket if we put the time into figuring out what interests kids to read about instead of forcing them to read "classic literature" in school.
Honestly, i think you are correct. I loved to read when i was a kid, but all the assigned books were depressing, stressful, and boring at the same time. They'd have us read things like Scarlet Ibis, Where the Red Fern Grows, Animal Farm (twice! 😠), Farenhight 451, etc... all doom and gloom. How is a society supposed to get better when all they present us with is doom and gloom? (And for entertainment it's all sex and violence.)
Load More Replies...Oh I am always excited when someone tells me they're getting into something I love! It's hard to resist the urge to spoil things sometimes...
I love humorous fantasies like Disk World series by Sir Terry Pratchett, Hitchhikers guide to the universe, Myth series by Robert Aspirin, etc...
Ohh I absolutely love literature. I've also turned my grand daughter on to several classics. Amistad, she loved. Moby D**k..She walked into the house with a "Call Me Ishmael!" salute to me. I can say we've bonded. She loves to quiz me on history. Which she replies, how do you know so much? READ! There's a whole other world waiting for you and you're always welcome!
I think this should apply to "classic" movies as well! I have a friend who is in her 50's and just saw Footloose for the first time!
Right! I am a pretty well educated person, holding a graduate degree, but I like to unwind and read all kinds of things, even graphic novels.
Aye! I had a horrible time at school due to bullies and a worse time at home, but reading about heros gave me the will to be a force of good. Not much of a force due to depression, but given the option, i'd rescue even a bug! XD Pretty sure without books, i'd have gone violently dark.
Load More Replies...I've only said that when it was a school curriculum book. So it's more like, because I thought it was typical and that everyone had to read it, i was surprised it wasn't part of the curriculum. I don't judge book choices; if you read then good on you. If not then ok but if ever you want a suggestion I'd be happy to help if you wanted
Your attitude might actually get the book read. You show enthusiasm and are cheerful, almost envious, of that person's future curiosity.
I always find it odd because most people only get access to most works through schools and some school districts just suck at picking out diverse reading materials (so many people at university were shocked I only had read Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet and not more Shakespeare plays but I was like "it's not my fault the teachers didn't include more.")
I need to remember this. This is an opportunity to share not to shame.
When I learn that someone hasn't read a book I love, I'm instantly envious. Imagine having that experience still ahead of you!
I had a friend who passed last year of a brain aneurysm, but before that she was literally my personal librarian, I love to read and ran out of books at home and being unable to drive since surgery she would bring books to work with her that she thought i may like and give them to my hubby to bring home for me. Some how she always knew what I would find an interesting read like 9/10 times lol... miss her so much now but her brother gifted me her copies of the Wicked series because she had stated she wanted my daughter to have them if something ever happened to her💕
Ah, but there have been many times someone has enthusiastically recommended a book, and after reading it part way through I concluded that our tastes are far apart.
I always say that about film. I’m so jealous you never seen it. Ive seen it loads.
You only get to read each book for the first time once - see them as delights to savour throughout your life, whenever you come to them, or are ready for them. I was introduced to Steinbeck and Hemmingway at 12, I was too young to enjoy them, and those books are forever tainted for me by that previous bad experience.
When I was in a literature class in college, I always felt bad because I didn't know as much about some of the books as I did. I don't feel that way anymore and I have realized that I just wasn't interested in those books.
I am reading a briefer history of time. my dad has read it too. he liked it, but didn't pressure me to read it. I am reading it of my own accord. you don't have to like something because someone else says so.
With anything! When someone tells me they haven't seen a show or movie I love, I usually respond with "I'm so jealous! I wish I could see it for the first time again!"
We were also curious about how people can control their anxiety better, especially if they’re worried about the economy, the war, and the pandemic. Ariane shared some of her thoughts about becoming more resilient during tough times. The important thing here is to control what you can and to let go of what you can’t affect.
“It's a matter of doing what you can to make your own situation better, and then accepting that you can't control everything,” she said. “You can never control everything, and trying will make you even more anxious. But you can control certain things to reduce your risk.”
On A Cathedral Door
Shared Spaces
A Grown Man Indeed
Love this! I can’t imagine that’s not the response she usually gets
Ariane gave an example of how this works: “For instance, I wear an FFP2 mask on the train to work because I can control that, but no one else wears one these days. So it's possible that I'll still get Covid as no one else is masking up, but I just have to accept that, because my train journeys are essential.”
Custom Veganism
Dear Kids
My Music Taste
This is so me. My playlist can go from Metallica to Backstreet Boys to Beethoven's 5th
During an earlier in-depth interview, Suzanne Degges-White, Licensed Counselor, Professor, and Chair at the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at Northern Illinois University, shared with Bored Panda how our family values, spiritual beliefs, and even our biology all play a crucial role in our altruistic actions.
"Many of us are raised to believe it is the 'right thing to do.' Basically, all spiritual belief systems have a version of the 'Golden Rule, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ "We also do good turns because we know that one day we may be in need of a little 'generosity from the universe,' so it's like putting 'money' into a karma account," she shared how people think.
Easy Come, Easy Go
This Dad Is A Legend
Rob Zombie Taking On Anyone Who Wants To Gatekeep Metal
"Lastly, humans are wired so that when we do something kind for another, we feel good about ourselves and neurotransmitters like endorphins and oxytocin have been shown to get a boost when we do something good for another. It is through cooperation that society functions, so the survival of the human race depends on being willing to help others. Family values, spiritual beliefs, and biology all play a part in this motivation," the professor explained to us.
What A Great Sign
Ok Zoomer
Any Age Can Love Dah Wahs
"Many of us take pride in being of service to others as it is culturally valued and we want to hold significance in our worlds. So when we do good deeds, we show others our willingness to help those in distress/need; we live out faith-based encouragement to treat others the way we would like to be treated, we uphold family values, and our brains get a positive jolt of happiness when we help others.”
Tiredness
Fixed A Stupid Meme
Your Trauma Is Valid
Everyone Gets To Complain About The Weather
Honestly, apparently some other countries have been mocking us in the UK for not being 'able to handle the heat'...WE'RE NOT CONDITIONED FOR IT! Most of us vary between glow-in-the-dark white and cooked lobster red! WE ARE GOOD AT RAIN!
Klingons Kinda Inclusive
its a very good analogy for trans people i suppose Klingons dont care what gender you are as long as you a warrior with honour
It's For All Of You
Do What You Like
in that case, i will leave the note stickers on my piano keys, and continue to play with one hand, until i am ready to play with both hands 😁
*sigh* If Only
Reading Goals
I needed this. I only just completed my 3rd book for the year - its been difficult to find time to sit and read. I am trying to fill more time by reading rather than being online. I hope to have read at least 5 books by the end of the year
Melon Flavored Jellyfish's Mom Says The Gates Are Open
Opening The Gates To Readers Of All Ages
Ambisexual
Gotta Clean Up
Hell Yeah
I'm Sure Many Of Us Needed To Hear This
F*****g THIS! Everyone has something different that they can do . Sometimes it's petitions ,sometimes it's protests,sometimes it's writing letters ,sometimes it's survival,sometimes it's education. The only path that isn't ok is turning a blind eye to the problem.
Vegan BBQ
Slap Some Dang Rice
Nice Flex
We love a mob psycho 100 reference! A really great and wholesome manga/anime too
Metallica Welcomes Everyone
It's A Big Ask But I'm Behind It
Note: this post originally had 104 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
I learned a lot from this list. I didn't realize i do so much gatekeeping, and i want to decrease it.
Hey when you know better you do better and it's cool you realized it now!
Load More Replies...Friendly reminder: downvotes are NOT dislike buttons. Downvoting a comment just because you don't agree = not cool. If a comment gets downvoted, its author will get banned from the site. So please downvote only in case of obvious spam ("how to make cash") or if someone is literally harrassing a fellow panda
Damn. One downvote that could be a mistake or petty revenge gets the author banned? That sucks.
Load More Replies...I learned a lot from this list. I didn't realize i do so much gatekeeping, and i want to decrease it.
Hey when you know better you do better and it's cool you realized it now!
Load More Replies...Friendly reminder: downvotes are NOT dislike buttons. Downvoting a comment just because you don't agree = not cool. If a comment gets downvoted, its author will get banned from the site. So please downvote only in case of obvious spam ("how to make cash") or if someone is literally harrassing a fellow panda
Damn. One downvote that could be a mistake or petty revenge gets the author banned? That sucks.
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