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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.

#3

A Surprise Happy Ending?

A Surprise Happy Ending?

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Hawkmoon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice exchange between nice people that tries to understand each other. Should be more of these on the Internet.

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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?

#4

Better Late Than Never

Better Late Than Never

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last sentence explains it perfectly. Although there is an expiration date and that is death.

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#5

Remember, Everyone Has A Purpose

Remember, Everyone Has A Purpose

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Frances M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who once worked in payroll, if you want to make money go into waste removal. If you want an interesting job go into any science or engineering field.

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#6

An Email From My Computer Science Teacher, Who I’m Not Even Taking A Class With This Semester. Genuinely Want To Cry Rn

An Email From My Computer Science Teacher, Who I’m Not Even Taking A Class With This Semester. Genuinely Want To Cry Rn

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(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).

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“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.”

#7

Be Free To Like Things

Be Free To Like Things

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Lady Goldberry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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?

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#8

One Letter Makes All The Difference!

One Letter Makes All The Difference!

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#9

This Made Me Really Happy

This Made Me Really Happy

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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.

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#12

Just Let Them Be They

Just Let Them Be They

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Toolkit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so beautiful and simply heart touching ♥ ✨

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“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.

#13

Unexpected Coming Out Story

Unexpected Coming Out Story

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“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.

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#16

Wear Whatever Makes You Happy!

Wear Whatever Makes You Happy!

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Dennis Knickrehm
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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 :)

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#18

I Love Sharing My Book Collection

I Love Sharing My Book Collection

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Ember
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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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.”

#19

On A Cathedral Door

On A Cathedral Door

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#20

Shared Spaces

Shared Spaces

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Konpat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's nothing cuter than babies learning to talk. Oh wait - babies laughing!

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#21

A Grown Man Indeed

A Grown Man Indeed

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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.”

#22

Custom Veganism

Custom Veganism

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Diolla
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SO agree with this. Am trying to be vegan but I live in a cheese country.... love cheese TOO MUCH! I keep trying the vegan cheeses though. One day they will be good enough.

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#24

My Music Taste

My Music Taste

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Jackie Dray
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so me. My playlist can go from Metallica to Backstreet Boys to Beethoven's 5th

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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.

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#25

Easy Come, Easy Go

Easy Come, Easy Go

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Konpat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gatekeeping is just so lame!!! You gotta get introduced to a piece of culture somewhere. Odds are, if it's an older piece and you're a youngster, that this will happen through a contemporary contribution. So what?! I really don't get the huff

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#27

Rob Zombie Taking On Anyone Who Wants To Gatekeep Metal

Rob Zombie Taking On Anyone Who Wants To Gatekeep Metal

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"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.

#29

Ok Zoomer

Ok Zoomer

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Toolkit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is gaining knowledge on electronics specifically cell phones etc seen as a bad thing?

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"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.”

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#32

Fixed A Stupid Meme

Fixed A Stupid Meme

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BoredBirb
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

FINALLY! THANK YOU! That meme annoyed me forever until THIS BEAUTY!!! This meme was so stereotypical and p!ssed me RIGHT OFF! :D

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#33

Your Trauma Is Valid

Your Trauma Is Valid

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Ember
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s ok to feel whatever you feel - don’t let anyone tell you different

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#34

Everyone Gets To Complain About The Weather

Everyone Gets To Complain About The Weather

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Lady Goldberry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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!

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#35

Klingons Kinda Inclusive

Klingons Kinda Inclusive

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Tobias Reaper
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#36

It's For All Of You

It's For All Of You

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LisaMarie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever." - Neil Gaiman. Love him 😊

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#37

Do What You Like

Do What You Like

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Karen Fernley
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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 😁

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#39

Reading Goals

Reading Goals

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Teresa Thomas
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#41

Opening The Gates To Readers Of All Ages

Opening The Gates To Readers Of All Ages

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Konpat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've just read two books for kids with spooky short stories. They were amazing, so I had my daughter read them. Now we're discussing them together, and there's nothing better in the world 😍

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#45

I'm Sure Many Of Us Needed To Hear This

I'm Sure Many Of Us Needed To Hear This

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Hyde and Seek
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#47

Slap Some Dang Rice

Slap Some Dang Rice

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#48

Nice Flex

Nice Flex

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Kerryming Sun
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We love a mob psycho 100 reference! A really great and wholesome manga/anime too

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#49

Metallica Welcomes Everyone

Metallica Welcomes Everyone

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#50

It's A Big Ask But I'm Behind It

It's A Big Ask But I'm Behind It

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