To put it simply, gatekeeping is an act when someone takes it upon themselves to decide who does or does not have access or rights to a community or identity ("You can't be a real Phoebe Bridgers fan, you just discovered her. Real fans follow her since at least Stranger in the Alps.") If this sounds ridiculous to you, don't worry. You're not alone.
There's a subreddit called r/GatesOpenComeOnIn and it describes itself as the polar opposite of gatekeeping. Created in 2018, this online community collects and shares pictures of wholesome acts of kindness when people had each other's backs. Whether it's encouraging everyone to share their Spotify Wrapped or simply allowing someone to feel tired, it doesn't take much to acknowledge another person's emotions, thoughts, experiences, values, and beliefs. Continue scrolling and check out how it's done.
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Wholesome Patriotism
As you can see from the pictures, empathy goes a long way. Developing it is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately. Since empathy involves experiencing another person’s point of view, rather than just one’s own, it enables prosocial or helping behaviors that come from within, rather than being forced.
Sadly, some surveys indicate that empathy is on the decline in the United States and elsewhere. But at least these findings motivate parents, schools, and communities to support programs that help people of all ages enhance and maintain their ability to walk in each other’s shoes.
Halloween For Everyone!
Come On In And Long As You’re Nice
If God created all creatures with his infinite wisdom, why would he hate something that HE created?
Empathy really is a superpower: it helps us cooperate with others, build friendships, make moral decisions, and intervene when we see others being bullied.
Humans usually begin to show signs of empathy in infancy and the trait develops steadily through childhood and adolescence.
That being said, most people are likely to feel greater empathy for someone like themselves and may feel less empathy for those outside their family, community, ethnicity, or race.
Everybody Say Thank You To Andy
Making Your Child Happy
Minding Your Own Business Is Free
Like other traits, empathy may have evolved with a selfish motive: using others as a "social antenna" to help detect danger. From an evolutionary point of view, creating a mental model of another person's intent is critical: the arrival of an interloper, for example, could be deadly, so developing sensitivity to the signals of others could be life-saving.
Babies display an understanding that people’s actions are guided by intentions and can act on that understanding before they turn 18 months old, including trying to comfort a parent. Advanced reasoning about other people’s thoughts develops around age 5-6.
Bikinis For Boys
Gates Open Slide On In!
Read Whatever You Want
Experts say that people high in narcissism, or who have a narcissistic personality disorder, can exhibit empathy and even compassion. However, that ability only goes so far, as ultimately they prioritize their own needs.
Some researchers believe narcissists can become more empathetic by developing greater self-compassion, which can increase their own feelings of security and self-worth and enable them to open up to hearing others.
Shout Out To The Solo Eaters
Do What Makes You Happy For You
Unexpected Pet
Someone I Went To School With Posted This About Giving Their Son A Unicorn-Themed Birthday Bash. Positive Parenting For The Win
My boy loves colour pink and red. As soon as he was able to show it to me, I have made him red birthday cake and bought red or pink clothes. He also liked to play with baby doll, toy washing machine and cooking gadgets and we allowed him to play what ever he wanted. That phase has now mostly passed, but red is still his favourite colour.
"Do a thought experiment," Mark Davis, a professor of psychology who has spent decades studying empathy, said. “Imagine if humans didn’t have the capacity for empathy. What would it mean if, in fact, we never gave a damn about what happened to other people? That’s an almost an inconceivable world."
"As awful a species as we can be — and we certainly have the capacity for terrible things — we’re also capable of some pretty wonderful things, noble things, self-sacrifice."
Family Is A Family Is A Family
A while ago someone asked me if I “have a family”. I said yes and was genuinely confused when she started asking me about kids.
Southern Hospitality
Never Too Late To Join A Movement
Interestingly, the word "empathy" is relatively new. It didn’t enter the English language until the early 1900s, derived from the German word einfühlung, according to Daniel Batson, a researcher of empathy and professor emeritus at Kansas University.
Felt Like This Might Belong Here
It's The Thought That Counts
Never Too Late For New Beginnings
I remember my teen years to be the worst of my life and as I got older, all became so much better!
I had great teen years, now I am 39 and I may be somewhat responsible but I refuse to not have fun in my life anymore
Same! My teens were kickasś but my adulthood is way more fun because now I can really do and wear what I want now at 35
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IT IS NEVER TOO LATE. I am reminded of a letter to "Dear Abby". This woman wrote that she was 32 and wanted to go to medical school and become a doctor. She wrote that it would take her about 12 years, school, intenship and residency, to get to her final goal. She then said "do you know how old I will be when I finish?" And Abby wrote "how old will you be in 12 years is you don't go to medical school"? Words to live by.
There's a YouTube toy reviewer who has a saying I completely agree with. He ends his videos with "You don't stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing!"
I remember a high school teacher saying this to us and you could just feel the depression fill the room.... THIS IS JUST NOT TRUE!! my teens years were not the best years of my life! The best years of my life all happened after COLLEGE and are still happening!!!
My childhood and youth pretty much sucked due to bullying in school, an abusive mom and a dad who couldn't care less about my sister and me... It all got so much better once I hit my twenties and found love, friends and self-esteem (not necessarily in that order). Now I am in my forties, I am finally feeling really good about myself and I have a great time - ok, Covid sucks for everyone right now and some people had it really bad, but just hang in there! You can have a great time at any age! Yeah, being an adult sometimes sucks, too and it brings responsibilities, but it also brings you control over your own life and you have more options than as a kid or teenager.
Tidbit of really good wisdom was shared with me, and I am passing it on. Hope it connects with you. " I was concerned about starting college so late in life...and even worse, thought about if I did, that I would be 54 when I graduated, 8 years later. 54! How am I supposed to start out at 54, when I should already be in my prime stride career wise?!" - My friend, said to me: " Well, no matter what happens in life, someday, you are going to be 54. Nothing you can do to stop it. So you have two choices. You can be 54, with a degree. Or 54, without a degree." For some reason, that has stuck with me since the day she told me that, and every time, I start to get " down" about life- I, too, got a late start in life-Uber zealous religious parents, that my siblings and I spent our time with waiting for judgement day, and that was all that mattered. I spent my 20's, doing everything I didn't get to do. I am a permanent decade behind in "age behavior", guess I will be a fun senior citizen!! Haha!
Same here! 28 and on have been my most exciting, fun, fashionable, traveling years! Children have boring lives.
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My life was best at 40! I even had a professional photo shoot done to celebrate I finally had my life together. Of course, then 2020 hit ......
A teacher in college used to say that all time, stuff like "enjoy it while you still can" and "there's not much left of your fun days so be grateful now", and the thing is that she was pretty young too. I remember being terrified. I dreaded having only a few "fun" years left and then to live for decades of hardships. I was only 23 and felt like I was near the end. Her words had a huge impact on me and made me hate my life because I felt I couldn't accomplish anything "in time". Well, for me, the real fun began at 28. I'm 32 now and have a ton of dreams and plans. Why do people have to talk crap like that? What the hell do they think happens when you turn 25?
S**t my life didn't start until my 30's. horrible child hood, two failed marriages, single mom life (that was hard) now I'm looking at 40 in a few months and I finally found my soul mate and best friend, we bought our first house (together and seperate) we're getting married in December after being together for 5 years, kids are growing and getting jobs. Life is amazing now.
My trauma came when I turned 30. Now I am a healthy 53 young man enjoying life
When I was told my teens were the best years of my life, I attempted suicide. Not a joke, alas. ANY TIME can be the BEST TIME ---- and it doesn't end at any age. IMHO.
To be fair, the only people who think life is over at 25 are teens LOL
Yes!!!!! My life is hell rn but I look forward to being in my 20s as I am positive things will be better in at least some ways.
I need to see this at least once a week. This is me AF and I'm constantly asking myself "why am I not here or there in life? Why am I not already established in life?" etc.
I'm 71 and have yet to discover 'too old' Life is what you choose to make it. Even while living with a catastropic illness many surpass what would be expected of any human being because they LIVE. That simple.
Started my "good life" when I was 30 (after healing from teen and early 20's trauma), so with!! I went back to school, got my bachelor and master degrees and ran a reasonably successful consulting business. So even though I started at least 10 years "too late" it never actually mattered. Now retired, looking back, just glad things turned around and I got to enjoy my life after all.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood - just gotta find the right people to have it with (it's okay if you are older than 25...)
F**k the notion the teens are the best years. My best years started when I was 37 and our first child was born. I was an asshole and a depressing guy before that. I'm 44 now and feel like my life's just begun! 🤘
It's never too late. Someone's claim that it's "too late" is not reason to forgo enjoyment and accomplishment for the rest of your life.
I reckon you start living around 30...you usually by then open the door to those you want to and keep it closed to those you don't without feeling any guilt or social expectations..
I wish I would've read this years ago but am happy I realized it anyway!
you can look forward to your '2nd life' at 50, then 70 and if you take care of yourself have another renaissance at 90.
I'm 69 and I don't believe it's too late. If you're breathing it's not too late. I got a Master's Degree when I was 45. I want to learn all I can about all I can. Like Dolly Parton says, "I want to wear out, not rust out!"
You know, your brain does mature until your mid-thirties. I didn't get comfortable saying no until then. Honestly? 40s and 50s were the very best years of my life. Hold on, folks! The best is yet to come.
I think the age I started to really have fun and enjoy life was when I was 65!
You go, girl! (or guy, Idk). Between trauma and illness, my good life didn't start until 34. It's pretty great now, though!
Started a new life with a new wife at 68 yrs young. We're only 19 inside.!
The best way to never grow "old" is to never grow up entirely. You need to nature that little nugget of child in you and remember to let it out to play now and then.
I had some pretty damn boring teenage years, but now at my almost 30 I'm starting to have tons of fun! 😁
Maybe it used to be like that, but not for newer generations!
25 was my favorite age. I was treated like an adult (finally!) and I was able to watch the horror show of all my teenage tormentors' "perfect relationships" go to the bottom of the sea.
Some of us never fully heal or are left with emotional scarring and mental health issues the rest of our lives. How about we just leave people alone and let them have fun if they want.
I'm 56 and still a kid at heart. Once your responsibilities are fulfilled, enjoy life! Dance in the rain. Laugh at the fart joke. Be silly. It's good for you.
I was a single mom at 17, so I didn't get to do any of the running around, being silly things until she was grown. You just never know what is going on in someone else's life.
So true. My teens/early twenties started in my mid-30's. Lot of childhood crap I had to confront and heal from and now I'm having a blast rollerskating at the skate park!
Kids barely know how to have fun and are restricted from everything. The fact that they think they dictate fashion and fun is a pathetic joke.
When I was 5 or 6 they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew. I view myself at 25 (yeah, reeeealy old) in a suit, an office with huge windows, drinking coffe as I watched the city view. And bored. Now at 46 never used a suit for work, do what I wanted (nearly) and pre covid hang with my friends whenever I wanted (childfree by choice) The only thing I regret is not saving enough to do more things.
You couldn’t pay me enough to be a teenager again. I’m far happier now I’m in my 50s than I even was then 🙂
While some people are more naturally empathetic than others, there are easy, evidenced-based exercises that anyone can do to increase their empathy.
First, talk to new people. Trying to imagine how someone else feels is often not enough. Luckily, the solution is simple: ask them. "For me, the core of empathy is curiosity," Jodi Halpern, a psychiatrist and bioethics professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who studies empathy, told The New York Times. "It's what is another person’s life actually like in its particulars?”
We Are All Nerds Together
I can completely relate to this. I love it when I discover that a friend that I've known for years has an in depth knowledge on a subject I never suspected.
Good Guy Owner
I love this. In Germany it is forbidden by the law to look for food in supermarket dumpsters. As long as the food doesnt pose a safety hazard, the food should be donated (which some supermarkets do, but its only a few plus they have to pay tax for the food which they are donating, so not many do this).
Hi Milly
You can start conversations with strangers or invite a colleague or neighbor you don't know well to lunch. But the trick is to go beyond small talk – ask them how they're doing and what their daily life is like.
Put away your phone and other screens when you’re having conversations, even with the people you see every day, so you can fully listen and notice their facial expressions and gestures.
Also, follow people on social media with different backgrounds than you have (different race, religion, or political persuasion).
Stress Relief
Money Is Power, But Also Not
Better Late Than Never
Dude in my graduating class (back in 1997) was 84 years old at the time of his graduation. Learn like you'll live forever, it's never too late.
Oh Thank You
But don’t just stand in someone else's shoes, as the saying goes—take a walk in them. For example, consider attending someone else's church, mosque, synagogue, or other houses of worship for a few weeks while they attend yours, or visit a village in a developing country and volunteer.
If you don't have enough time for these activities, you can simply explore a new neighborhood, or strike up a conversation with a homeless person in your community.
If someone’s behavior is bothering you, think about why. Consider what it’s like to live their daily life.
Gay Pride Can Be Whatever You Want/Need It To Be
Friendly Encouragement
How Lovely
Showing Respect For One Another’s Professions
What a weird comment. Don't we all love the person that turns up at our doorstep with our eagerly awaited parcel??
Remember, you don't need to understand everything about someone to make them feel respected. Just don’t make assumptions about people based on what your life is like. The people on this list certainly haven't.
We’re all humans, and we all have a desire to connect with one another. Building our empathy, considering the perspectives of others, and opening ourselves to uncomfortable conversations can make that happen.
Witches vs. Patriarchy
Jesus Never Stutters
You Get To Decide How You Define Being "Grownup"
All Allies Welcome!
Taking Care Of Your Mental Health Is Important
We’re All In This Together
A lot of people do make it their business to decide what other people should earn, how and where they should live and why they shouldn't have universal healthcare. They're called Republicans.
Ok Zoomer
They Had Us In The First Half
I find it amazing that some Christians arrogantly think that their religion somehow “owns” marriage. People were getting together and pairing up in a variety of rituals 1000s of years before Christianity turned up.
I Love Sharing My Book Collection
Speak Everything
Learning Is Awesome
Read What You Love
You’re Doing Just Fine
This stupid meme also failed to recognise that to develop skills and side hustles we really benefit from the support of friends and family. Hanging out and chatting enables our brains to get things in to perspective, sort out what we've learnt so far, and subconsciously start to work on what is to come next.
Blake Knows What's Up
Gonna Remember Who Spoke To Me And Who Didn’t
Accept Everyone And Respect Their Decisions Y’all
Do Whatever Makes You Happy
Note: this post originally had 92 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
I think these are great but I have some reservations about the ones that say things like "Welcome all" or "Love everyone no matter what" bc I think that we should still be careful and wary of people who have shown that they are untrustworthy and will make trouble. I do think that we should give people chances to improve and guide them in the right direction but we should do so before welcoming them into places like our homes. Sure, if you don’t know someone be civil to them no matter their ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexuality, etc. and don’t judge them based on these things, but if they show that they are not someone you want to be around because they do not return your kindness, then I don’t think you should “welcome” them.
Yeah. We must love everybody no matter the origin, sex, orientation etc. But we shouldt love people who does bad to others like rapists, bigots, murderers etc. Intolerance cannot be tolerated.
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I think this series has the right attitude of positivism. I always argue for being critical with anything, but being careing for other beings and, ultimately, yourself, always is a good idea. To put this to BP: upvote early, downvote only if you really think something is wrong.
I love how people like these are around. I bet someone was having a horrid day and was scrolling through these and saw something they related to, and it made their day. Thank you for putting this and it, for sure, made my day a whole lot better. 💕
Lets make a petition to get more posts like this one. I think a lot of Pandas would sign it
I have never wanted to hug so many people all at once in my life. Darned ninjas cutting onions *wipes tearse*
This made me feel better. Things are hard right now. <3 to everyone, wherever and whoever you are.
I loved this a lot. Not only did it help me see the world in a better way, it made me feel better. Better that I can stand up for people and not look dumb. That I can stand up for others and not care :)
Most definitely agree with #32, respect the work/job. My late father used to tell anyone who was job hunting, or foolish enough to put him down for his jobs, "There's honor in any job well done, that's honest work. If you don't have a job, get one. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut and let me get back to my job!" (he was a professional baker for a large company for about 16 years, then a school janitor for three years, then a "troubleshooter" and maintenance man for the school system for another 30 years, among other jobs he'd had as a very young man). I had many jobs in my 52 years of working, some I absolutely hated, some I loved, but all of them honorable work, and I learned something from every one of them. NEVER make fun of anyone's job---especially if you aren't working yourself, but very much need to do so!
Number 11 bible says make a joyful noise unto the lord. It never says you have to be on key.
Well that made me cry ( happy cry...there's hope for humanity yet by gosh)x
Thank you. This is the best collection of panda posts I’ve read in a while. Restores my faith in humanity.
I loved this post - I wanted to upvote everyone and give all these people hugs!
Also go out to get some vitamin D, watch some trees and remember to drink water <3
Because it’s the internet and you’re being skeptical, which is okay, but probably not true. Some people just want to be nice. That’s not too hard to believe is it?
Load More Replies... I think these are great but I have some reservations about the ones that say things like "Welcome all" or "Love everyone no matter what" bc I think that we should still be careful and wary of people who have shown that they are untrustworthy and will make trouble. I do think that we should give people chances to improve and guide them in the right direction but we should do so before welcoming them into places like our homes. Sure, if you don’t know someone be civil to them no matter their ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexuality, etc. and don’t judge them based on these things, but if they show that they are not someone you want to be around because they do not return your kindness, then I don’t think you should “welcome” them.
Yeah. We must love everybody no matter the origin, sex, orientation etc. But we shouldt love people who does bad to others like rapists, bigots, murderers etc. Intolerance cannot be tolerated.
Load More Replies... I think this series has the right attitude of positivism. I always argue for being critical with anything, but being careing for other beings and, ultimately, yourself, always is a good idea. To put this to BP: upvote early, downvote only if you really think something is wrong.
I love how people like these are around. I bet someone was having a horrid day and was scrolling through these and saw something they related to, and it made their day. Thank you for putting this and it, for sure, made my day a whole lot better. 💕
Lets make a petition to get more posts like this one. I think a lot of Pandas would sign it
I have never wanted to hug so many people all at once in my life. Darned ninjas cutting onions *wipes tearse*
This made me feel better. Things are hard right now. <3 to everyone, wherever and whoever you are.
I loved this a lot. Not only did it help me see the world in a better way, it made me feel better. Better that I can stand up for people and not look dumb. That I can stand up for others and not care :)
Most definitely agree with #32, respect the work/job. My late father used to tell anyone who was job hunting, or foolish enough to put him down for his jobs, "There's honor in any job well done, that's honest work. If you don't have a job, get one. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut and let me get back to my job!" (he was a professional baker for a large company for about 16 years, then a school janitor for three years, then a "troubleshooter" and maintenance man for the school system for another 30 years, among other jobs he'd had as a very young man). I had many jobs in my 52 years of working, some I absolutely hated, some I loved, but all of them honorable work, and I learned something from every one of them. NEVER make fun of anyone's job---especially if you aren't working yourself, but very much need to do so!
Number 11 bible says make a joyful noise unto the lord. It never says you have to be on key.
Well that made me cry ( happy cry...there's hope for humanity yet by gosh)x
Thank you. This is the best collection of panda posts I’ve read in a while. Restores my faith in humanity.
I loved this post - I wanted to upvote everyone and give all these people hugs!
Also go out to get some vitamin D, watch some trees and remember to drink water <3
Because it’s the internet and you’re being skeptical, which is okay, but probably not true. Some people just want to be nice. That’s not too hard to believe is it?
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