Tough. Challenging. Unrelenting. This is what this year has been like for us. But 2020 is coming to an end. Finally! It’s no wonder that some of us are feeling anxious, stressed out, and just… tired from everything that’s happened so far. Fortunately, life isn’t just doom and gloom.
People being the best they can be and doing wholesome things for others are the main reasons to keep going. We wanted to pick your spirits up for the holiday season and to show you the bright side of life, so the Bored Panda team lovingly handcrafted you this list. Remember to upvote the most uplifting stories, dear Pandas. When you’re done boosting your mood, we’d absolutely adore hearing what wholesome things you and your loved ones have been up to this year. So drop us a line or two in the comment section—we can’t wait to hear from you! Meanwhile, let’s get into why giving is good for everyone and why thinking that people are inherently selfish might just be wrong.
Bored Panda wanted to learn more about the relationship between helping others and happiness, so we reached out to 'Action for Happiness,' a movement dedicated to creating a happier and more caring society. The movement's patron is none other than the Dalai Lama. Vanessa King, the Head of Psychology at 'Action for Happiness,' told Bored Panda that doing things for others is a key part of keeping ourselves happy. "If you think about it human beings are social species, we evolved to live in groups so working together and doing things to help each other is the social glue that keeps us together." Read on for King's detailed insights about altruism, the spirit of giving, and happiness.
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Just Finished My Chemotherapy Treatment And All That's Left Is Steroids And Radiotherapy And Then I'm Cancer Free
Be Kind To Each Other
Hello World, I'm 15 Minutes Old
King, the Head of Psychology at 'Action for Happiness' and the author of '10 Keys to Happier Living,' pointed out that children as young as 2 years old have been seen sharing which just goes to show that we're hardwired for cooperation. "Participating in group activities and community events makes us happier too. When we do things for others it activates the reward center in the brain, so when we give a gift it feels the same as receiving a gift," King told Bored Panda.
However, we know that life isn't always simple. Life can hit us hard and bump us into survival mode which can make helping others a tad harder than it needs to be. Fortunately, King had some great news for us—there are lots of small ways that we can do in our daily lives to become more altruistic. And really is quite simple. All we need is a bit of willpower and a dash of courage to go beyond our comfort zones and routines.
"At Action for Happiness, we provide daily actions and advice on small changes you can take each day to start bringing more kindness into your life. Small daily actions one at a time can help us to make altruism a lifetime habit. You could start out small by deciding you are going to smile at everyone you meet or pay three people a compliment today."
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She continued: "You can give money to charity, donate to a food bank, or volunteer your time over Christmas. You can leave a food package or a note for an elderly neighbor. All of these actions help others and boost your own happiness and if we are happier, research shows we are even more likely to help others. Our January action calendar has ideas and inspiration for each day of the month to get you started in 2021."
However, what about people who feel like they only care about helping others to the extent that they're rewarded for their efforts? We were incredibly curious to figure out how to move from concentrated self-interest to genuine kindness. King stressed that it's alright to "fake it 'till you make it" and not to worry too much.
"Maybe at first, you start out doing things to help others only to get attention and praise, but you will find that doing things for others helps you feel good and when you see people’s responses. Once you see the difference you can make in the world and to your own happiness and altruism can grow naturally," she said.
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King added that kindness has a ripple effect because people are more likely to be kind when they experience kindness themselves. So being nice and spreading the spirit of giving can have a tangible effect not only on your local community but also on the world. There's a practical aspect, too: by being kind, we increase the chances that others will be there for us when we need it.
What's more, King shared the problems with having expectations for rewards that are too high. We might feel severely disappointed if we set our expectations too high. So it's best to have little to no expectations when doing something for others; from a utilitarian, as well as a deontological point of view.
"There’s an important point too here for people on the receiving end of kindness. If they can, it’s, of course, great to say thank you and add the positive impact it has for you e.g., 'Thank you, It’s great to know that someone cares.' That can really boost the glow for the giver and encourage them to give more," she told Bored Panda what we can all do when somebody else goes the extra mile for us. It's best to vocalize our gratitude instead of leaving it to someone else's imagination.
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"If I Birthed 6 Kids, I'm Gonna Get 6 Kids Out". Super-Mom Emma Schols Saved All Of Her 6 Kids From Their Burning Home
Even tho she was bleeding and losing skin, hair burnt like coal, she kept going. Emma got 93% burn injuries, yet still survived. A Hero.
"It may also be helpful for the person to think about why they are seeking attention and reward from an external source, a key part of being happy is feeling comfortable with who you are and accepting life the way it is. I’d suggest that the person taking time to build up their self-care to become happier and more resilient. Perhaps start with a personal gratitude practice to appreciate what they already have in life, writing down three things each day that we are grateful for can boost happiness."
Doing something nice for others without expecting absolutely anything in return (whether rewards, praise, or attention) is the essence of giving.
The fact that we feel good about doing wholesome things for others doesn’t mean that we’re not altruistic—our brains are simply rewarding us for being social and looking out for the collective which we depend on. At the end of the day, helping others out feels good. On a biological and spiritual level.
I Needed This
So True
In Case There Is Good News
In modern times, a lot of us assume that human beings are fundamentally selfish and self-interested. That, however, might just be a big bunch of pessimistic and cynical boohockey. Rutger Bregman, the author of ‘Humankind: A Hopeful History,’ challenges the notion that we’re inherently selfish. Instead, Bregman argues that we should assume that people are good. It’s not just wishful thinking, though!
According to Bregman, there’s an evolutionary basis for our instinct to cooperate rather than compete and to trust rather than distrust. In the book, Bregman gives a fresh new take on the last 200k years of our history by reframing the most famous events and studies done. This sort of shift has powerful effects—changing our perspective about the nature of humankind can help us create lasting change in society, politics, economics, and everywhere.
On a personal note, we agree with Bregman. And it’s articles like the one you’re reading now that give us hope that everyone’s got a mini Santa Claus inside of them who goes the extra mile all year long. Not just on Christmas.
My Cousin Was Fishing On The River This Weekend And Rescued This Deer Who Was So Tired He Was Starting To Drown
A Wonderful Young Man
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An Autistic Boy, Who Can't Be Touched, Connects With A Service Dog, As His Mom Bursts Into Tears Of Hope And Joy
I'm not sure why, but people still ask us why we place service dogs with children sometimes. Let me help you understand, from a momma who knows first hand:
See this moment? I've never experienced a moment like this.
This picture was taken near the end of the day after my autistic five year old was finally able to sit down with his new Service Dog Tornado. He flew across the entire ocean, stopped in multiple states, and uprooted his entire routine to travel the globe for this. He was so overwhelmed through the day that he had to leave to take a break for a couple hours before he could come back. This boy is the strongest child I have ever met; he has faced countless rude and ignorant adults and children who do not understand him, who have hurt him, and who have not valued him because he is different. This picture captures the face of a mother who saw her child, who she can't hug, wash, dress, snuggle and touch freely lay on his new Service dog of his own free will, with a purposeful unspoken attachment. This is the face of a mom who has seen her son experience countless failed social interactions on the playground in an attempt to have a friend. Any friend. Any kind of connection. She has sat with her son while he has cried at night for months because he has no consistent connections outside of the family no matter how hard he tries and no matter what he works hard on in his Autism therapies. It doesn't transfer to the natural occurring world for him. And now she is sitting behind her son silently watching this moment, with the air sucked from her lungs, and no words to say.
Holding her mouth and silently crying because she doesn't want to distract him from the moment and break him away from a pure, honest, and truly fulfilling moment for her son-of his own free will. This is truly magic. Words cannot explain it.
I have cried so many times for this boy, but this is the very first time I have cried for a reason like this.
It's new, it's painful, it's wonderful, and it's grateful. I will always stand behind this boy (probably still crying ) but I am grateful that he will have Tornado to stand beside him. The 4 Paws magic is real. The wait is long, but this moment right here makes it worth every moment of waiting. It's worth every fight for services for my son, every diagnosis, every new provider, every dollar spent, every paper filled out, every school meeting, every shed tear, every step forward, every step back, and every wonder of the unknown future. Some how because of this- because of Tornado- I know everything will be okay.
i know its not her son's fault but its so sad his mother cant hug him :(
My son has autism as well and his service dog changed his life!
Service animals are very important for people with disabilities. However, taking your pet everywhere you go and calling it an emotional support animal is not the same thing as a service animal. Service animals have training.
YES! I was chatting with someone and she was talking about how wonderful her support dog was and I asked her which organisation trained the dog and she said 'oh, well, we're doing it'. Turned out to be exactly what you're describing. They're not the same thing. People need to know exactly how to train the dogs and how to fit them with the needs of the person. This is not a simple matter. I'm not saying people can never do it themselves but just that they won't usually have the expertise and making it up as you go along can be problematic. I've worked with people who have guide dogs, a colleague worked for Dogs For The Disabled - they all get frustrated with this.
Load More Replies...Ok sorry if this is as silly question but I genuinely don’t know. Why can’t they touch him? How come he can touch the dog but not his mom?
For some , like my 15 yr. old, textures can be extremely frustrating. He is on the mile side of the spectrum, but clothes in general drive him nuts. The texture of coconut, kiwis (even if the "hairs" are cut off, rough blankets. I am 57, but I am pretty sure I would have been diagnosed with ASD, if it had been around then. Can't stand anything tight on my throat like turtlenecks or even cowl necks. I cut the collars on t-shirts to sleep in. I never understood kids my age, but I had sports and just didn't really care about why the other kids were different. ASD has so many different forms.
Load More Replies...I hope the mother has many more opportunities to cry tears of joy for her beloved son.
You are a hero! Your son is so fortunate to have you to advocate for and love him. Bless you
I Love This ... but am confused of WHO typed the letter 1st it sounds like the mother then it sounds like a teacher because if she's the mom why does she reference herself as a "3rd party-person" at times in the letter ?
I am crying. I have a son on the spectrum but not to this degree. His life has been hard and very different. He has many quirks. He is on disability and his life has stabilized significantly. I worry about what will happen when I am gone. He is 48 today 1-1-21.
I hope he will be ok. I run various support groups for other autistic adults and people who have had love and support in their life like your son seem much better at adapting x
Load More Replies...Just wait, someday a Karen will come along and try to take the dog. It makes me lose hope in humanity when people try to steal service animals.
thank goodness for therapy animals - they truly are an amazing breakthrough for many kids.
It's not a muzzle, it's a headcollar, frequently used when training a service dog, to train them not to pull, and give better control when on a lead. Doesn't prevent dog's mouth from opening, at all. If you look at it, you can see it is not restrictive in any way.
Load More Replies...I have theories, but don't want to assume; Why can't anyone touch him? (If you don't mind me asking)
Because some autistic children have sensory issues. Some, like my oldest son, can’t stand to have anyone in their personal bubble. Others, like my youngest and middle sons, have absolutely no concept of personal space; they both love hugs. My youngest sons hugs are very brief, but he wants them all the time. My middle son wants to hug constantly, but has no clue when to end it. All three are autistic.
Load More Replies...This is the third time I have come across this post. Chokes me up and inevitably makes me cry every time. I am a mother and the pain she must feel for her son every minute of every day has to be unbearable. The relief she felt on this day surpasses anything I will ever experience.
This truly brought tears to my eyes!! God give strength to all of them... and well done to the service dog initiatives around the world!
What an amazing photo. I don't understand autism other than what I've read about it and I've never dealt with it first hand. I cant imagine what this mother feels like every day, knowing her son probably just wants nothing more than a hug from his mom when he's having a bad day, but because of the reasons I don't understand, she cannot do that & he will not allow it (I'm assuming) I'm so thankful for programs like this and I truly pray that after some time spent between him & tornado that something will change slightly and he will allow his mother to maybe hold his hand, or a finger..and slowly open up to her
I hope in time Tornado will lead to YOU being able to hug your child. Dogs are miracle workers. 💖💖💖
I'm so happy her son finally has a friend of his own. And a more loyal and loving friend could not be found!
Dogs are our best friends in every way possible and this episode adds yet another way: HOO-RAH !
Not much longer and you will be shedding bigger happier tears as this will be YOU your son is touching and loving this is a huge step forward that no one or nothing can demean or take away....as for all those people and yes kids also( because their parents and other family members that can't see beyond their selfish selves to teach and guide their kids simple consideration or understanding) can just hop on the ignorance train and ride off into the black hole where their brains should be hit the I haven't got a caring bone anywhere much less a heart that should just because reach out and be a human being instead of a ...well you all get the idea....
The power of LOVE...animals give it unconditionally! Grateful this boy has this sweet dog
I cried for this mother and child. Poor souls, but I'm so happy for them, he found a furry friend he trusts. But... PLEASE... remove that rubber band from that sweet doggies snout...?! Why do people do that?? From the research I can do myself on the web, it's just purely animal abuse. Someone please give me a valid reason for this practice. Please.....?
Do better research! It's not a muzzle, it's a headcollar, frequently used when training a service dog, to train them not to pull, and give better control when on a lead. Doesn't prevent dog's mouth from opening, at all. If you look at it, you can see it is not restrictive in any way. Nothing remotely abusive about headcollars. Safest thing to use when walking any larger dog as it gives the owner the most control, while causing no pain or discomfort to the dog. Vets in the UK recommend their use.
Load More Replies...So heart-breakingly poignant. My heart goes out to that wonderful loving mum. I sometimes think that animals are actually angels, as they can often touch a heart when no human can not even the most loving and amazing mum in the world. I pray that there will be many positive changes in this little boy's life due to his first best friend.
Maybe dogs speak the same language that these very special kids. Who knows? Maybe we could learn something from dogs.
This is a Christmas present to me, too! Bless these three and bless all those dogs and other angelic animals who are "service" animals and the people who love them. Surely they are angels in disguise.
This had me in tears. People matter - things don’t. May mother and child have comfort.
I have a 46 year old with some similarities. You can't imagine the pain-
Yes, I'm crying. I hope you read the story and are crying, too. If not, get checked to make sure you have a heart.
One step at a time.... so wonderful this is the scene set for step two. He will be ok, there is no better therapist than a gentle dog.
Perhaps the dog will help in a way that some day the boy can bear to be touched, and then she'll cry all over again.
Aren’t there all autistic schools for kids who are like this so they don’t feel ostracized ? If they all have the same issues they might feel some connection to another human. Putting them into a school or playground with “normal” functioning kids seems to be setting them up for abuse and bullying. This is so beautiful to see how the simplicity of a dog being it’s pure perfect self can make a child so unable to connect with humans become like any other kid even for the few moments with his dog. Pet therapy is so important.
Special needs schools - or no school or education at all - used to be the only option, usually meaning that the child could not live at home. Who would want to go back to that? Today, a lot of children with special needs are part of the society they live in, and getting training in being part of it. Once they grow up and their parents eventually grow old and die it is crucial that they have at least some autonomy, when possible.
Load More Replies...This enchanting boy's life just improved 'cuz of a smart, assertive mom~~whose life is made difficult by nasty, cruel sociopaths. [What else d'ya call heartless bullies?] Yep, need expertise by professional dog trainers to mate animal w/human. Healthy jerks who walk their dogs into grocers, pharmacies & everywhere & call their dogs "svc" make it rotten for those who really need svc dogs. You can't ask dog owner in NYS to see her/his "Svc Animal License" [w/doc pic]~~so these creeps abuse the system & make people feel unfavorably toward any dog inside retailers, hospitals, &c. Karma will catch 'em.
We Should All Strive To Treat One Another Like This 8 Year Old Treats People
This Strong Dude, Ezra, Survived A Cardiac Arrest
Captain Suzy Garrett And Her First-Officer Daughter, Donna, Are The First Mother-Daughter Pair In History To Pilot A Commercial Skywest Airlines Flight Together
Suzy was one of the first dozen female pilots hired at Skywest and has been flying there for over 30 years
I Got My Pup A Matching Chair So He Would Stop Stealing Mine. Needless To Say, He’s Very Pleased
My Mom Crochets And Donated 31 Blankets To Sick Children This Year
In 2019 I Got Way Too Drunk At The Office Christmas Party & Bet My Coworker That I Would Spend 2020 Getting Fit. I Kept My Promise And Won The Bet. I Am Proud
A Kind Stranger Drove Two Hours And Used His Drone To Recover Meadow, Who Was Lost In The Woods For 10 Days
Meadow was missing in our town for over a week. It has been snowing and quite cold where we were, so the whole town rallied together to search for Meadow but to no avail. I thought I’d try my luck and share the lost dog poster on our local Subreddit. A stranger Redditor responded immediately and offered to look for Meadow with his drone. I asked the search team to give me the more precise coordinates and shared that with him. To be honest, I lost all hope at that point as it’s been more than 10 days. I also didn’t expect a stranger to go at the length it would require to look for Meadow.
Then at 3:30 PM yesterday, I got a ping that he found Meadow! The length this dude went to is insane: He drove 1.5 hours from where he was and spent forever until his drone went out of the battery to look for Meadow
My Husband Has Been Sober For 700 Days
Congratulations. Hope he'll have lots of sober days for the rest of his life.
My 64-year-old Mother Told Us On Thanksgiving That She Got Accepted To A PhD Program At UPenn. It's Never Too Late To Do What You Want
My Wife's Senior Dog Can't Play Due To Arthritis But Our Puppy Loves Him Anyways
Pay It Forward
wow. that could nearly make me want to rejoin the human race. Well that and dogs.
The Best Kind Of Phone Call
Saved A Cat In The Freeway Today I45 No Hesitation Pulled Over Immediately, Grabbed From Traffic
Sikh Community Delivers Hundreds Of Meals To Lorry Drivers In Kent
This Gem Of A Human Feeding The Stray Cat At My Apartment Complex And Giving Him An Umbrella Since It's Raining
A Loggerhead Turtle Got Into A Boating Accident, Resulting In The Loss Of A Majority Of Its Lower Beak. Scientists Gave It A New 3D Printed Titanium Beak
He is now a cyborg turtle.
I Only Rescued Her One Week Ago And She Loves Cuddling. I Haven’t Had To Take An Anxiety Pill Since Getting Her Because She’s Like The Ultimate Weighted Blanket
Family Moment Despite Covid-19
I Wasn't Allowed To Use A Notebook At My Cashier Job, So I Started Writing My Book About Bullying On Printed Out Receipts. This Year I Finally Published My Novel
looks amazing! what kind of psychopaths don’t let you have a notebook though?
My Grandpa Just Turned 64 Today. He Grew Up Poor And Had Never Had A Birthday Party. Today He Had His First One And You Can See The Happiness In His Smile
So you all were too poor to throw him one earlier? Confused on the timeline
A Shop Owner Modified His Attic To Accommodate His Cats. Now He Is Under Constant Observation
Volunteers All Over The World Hand Make Small Nests For Rescued Birds And Small Orphaned Mammals For Over 500 International Wildlife Rescues And Rehabbers
They belong to a non-profit called Wildlife Rescue Nests
We Got Married This Weekend
Been Gaming With This Dude For 15 Years. I Have Some Good Gaming Memories With Him. He Tried But Couldn’t Get PS5. Little Did He Know I Was Able To Get Him One
Looking forward to playing another generation with him
After you weed out all the f***s and people calling your mother a ho... there are some lovely people you find when gaming
Wrist Surgery. My Surgeon Incised Around My Tattoo. He Could Have Not Cared And Cut Right Through It. Pretty Bro Move If You Ask Me
I have a tattoo over my naval, when I had my first (of many) abdominal surgery the surgeon did a bikini line cut for me so my tattoo was protected. I had one surgeon who had to cut through it because it was an emergency, but he still spent time stitching me up and putting my tattoo back together. This was after a really difficult operation that had taken over ten hours.
I Couldn’t See My Family This Year (For Obvious Reasons) So Me And My Boy Made The Best Of It
I Really Want To Pay It Forward
Sometimes I Throw Doggy Treats To My Landlords Dogs Out Of My Window, This Is Now What I See When I Look Out My Window
Note: this post originally had 106 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
We should all take the time to act locally and brighten someone's day and then to think globally about what specific policies are needed to 1. Fight racism and racial violence. 2. Empower vulnerable people 3. Halt religious-based violence. 4. Bring economic equality to working people 5. Deliver health care to all who need it. 6. Stop and reverse the negative impact of climate change and other environmental disasters. 7. Regulate and contain the trend of the wealthiest one percent getting wealthier and control both the economics and the politics of a country 8. Support scientific research and fight anti-science ignorance. 9. Promote Sound policy in light of Covid-19 and future health crisis and pandemics 10. Support countries efforts to bring democracy to all nations.
This list is just a summary, but when you’re ready to write more, I’ll read everything you have to say on these matters. No doubt, many would be interested too. From there, you/we can see examples of what people are doing locally/globally and what they want to do and the challenges preventing it from manifesting. Even with negativity, we can see why there’s a holdup.
Load More Replies...Good stories. I just spent $400 on my neighbors for Xmas. 4 kids, he lost his job as a chef due to Covid and his hubby was in a accident at work. Bought a tree, toys, gift boxes for them and a turkey with all the trimmings. Cool thing? Other neighbors found out and let's just say they had a awesome Xmas
These posts are what the world needs because so many people are pushing others down just to build themselves up. It's wrong but looking at these posts is heartwarming as heck at how kind the human population can be
Lovely stories again. Thanks. If you want something else to get emotional about in a good way, I recommend watching the YT videos on colourblind people getting EnChroma glasses and seeing colour for the first time. I'm addicted and love crying to them.
I unfortunately can’t post the image here but this summer I rescued a scraggly, injured crow while on vacation at Universal Studios! I (happily) held the spicy lil guy for 4 hours waiting for Orange County animal services to get him some professional care! Would do it again in a heartbeat
Thanks for the uplifting stories and photos. We live in a society weighted down by a pandemic and forget to laugh once in a while. Stories such as these get us back in touch with our feelings and good emotions.
Thank you for these up-beat posts. So nice because we all need to smile and maybe wipe a tear away.
We should all take the time to act locally and brighten someone's day and then to think globally about what specific policies are needed to 1. Fight racism and racial violence. 2. Empower vulnerable people 3. Halt religious-based violence. 4. Bring economic equality to working people 5. Deliver health care to all who need it. 6. Stop and reverse the negative impact of climate change and other environmental disasters. 7. Regulate and contain the trend of the wealthiest one percent getting wealthier and control both the economics and the politics of a country 8. Support scientific research and fight anti-science ignorance. 9. Promote Sound policy in light of Covid-19 and future health crisis and pandemics 10. Support countries efforts to bring democracy to all nations.
This list is just a summary, but when you’re ready to write more, I’ll read everything you have to say on these matters. No doubt, many would be interested too. From there, you/we can see examples of what people are doing locally/globally and what they want to do and the challenges preventing it from manifesting. Even with negativity, we can see why there’s a holdup.
Load More Replies...Good stories. I just spent $400 on my neighbors for Xmas. 4 kids, he lost his job as a chef due to Covid and his hubby was in a accident at work. Bought a tree, toys, gift boxes for them and a turkey with all the trimmings. Cool thing? Other neighbors found out and let's just say they had a awesome Xmas
These posts are what the world needs because so many people are pushing others down just to build themselves up. It's wrong but looking at these posts is heartwarming as heck at how kind the human population can be
Lovely stories again. Thanks. If you want something else to get emotional about in a good way, I recommend watching the YT videos on colourblind people getting EnChroma glasses and seeing colour for the first time. I'm addicted and love crying to them.
I unfortunately can’t post the image here but this summer I rescued a scraggly, injured crow while on vacation at Universal Studios! I (happily) held the spicy lil guy for 4 hours waiting for Orange County animal services to get him some professional care! Would do it again in a heartbeat
Thanks for the uplifting stories and photos. We live in a society weighted down by a pandemic and forget to laugh once in a while. Stories such as these get us back in touch with our feelings and good emotions.
Thank you for these up-beat posts. So nice because we all need to smile and maybe wipe a tear away.