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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.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
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.
RELATED:
#2
Halloween For Everyone!
#3
Come On In And Long As You’re Nice
troufaki13 3 years ago
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.
#4
Everybody Say Thank You To Andy
#5
Making Your Child Happy
#6
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.
#8
Gates Open Slide On In!
#9
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.
#10
Shout Out To The Solo Eaters
#11
Do What Makes You Happy For You
Steve Haigh 3 years ago
yeah, making money out of something you love isn't a bad thing - making it the only reason to pursue a hobby, however, isn't really the point of getting a hobby. The money is an added bonus.
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Helen Haley 3 years ago
This is why so many adults have lost their imagination. Imagination and artistic endeavors are such good coping mechanisms, but we eschew them for other forms, like sports. Because then tehre is winning. Or only hobbies we excel at.
Hans 3 years ago
Well, I think "do what you enjoy regardless of how good you are at it" should be an universal truth.
Night Owl 3 years ago (edited)
Yeah, as long as you don't bother someone else with it. I love singing but I know I'm not good at it so I don't sing or at least not too loud when there are other people near me (except for family and/or friends)
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Dirk Daring 3 years ago
I genuinely needed that. As I'm writing this, it is 6:55am, and now I know it's going to be a good day.
Rose the Cook 3 years ago
Stepdaughter's children are subjected to piano lessons, oil painting lessons, French lessons, English lessons, American Gridiorn lessons etc. etc. at ages 3 and4. When they don't excell at anything she finds something else to subject the poor tots to.
Amanda Groetzinger 3 years ago
OMG!! This is legit life changing for me! Never looked at it this way.
sturmwesen 3 years ago
This is why I decided against working as a cook. I like cooking and I want it to stay tgat way and not be forced to do it.
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Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago (edited)
I love this. I enjoy singing and I am terrible at it, I won’t sing around strangers and it takes a while for me to get comfortable enough to sing in front of new friends, acquaintances or family etc. I am also a very novice cake decorator but there is absolutely no way I would do it as a business, I just make them for friends and family. Same with most of my artsy, crafty, diy stuff. I do it coz I enjoy it and love giving people things.
Connie Martin 3 years ago
I'm 64 and embracing this for the first time in my life. Perfectionism has held me back from so much joy -- now I'd like to pursue all kinds of things I might not be good at, but find pleasure in the learning
Grumble O'Pug 3 years ago
Life is not a product. Wow, LOVE THAT!!! I am so sad that the last decade or so we've mainstreamed the idea that somehow what you love has got to be an etsy store, or 5iverr'd or something like that.
Baby Panda 3 years ago
if you love it that much and you pour emotion into it then it's beautiful. if you work hard on it, and you're proud of it, then it's beautiful.
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Melanie King 3 years ago
"Sing offkey".... *checks box*, "Draw poorly".... *checks another box*
QueerTheory 3 years ago
I saw this particular status sometimes back and it truly changed how i look at life. I’m singing off key at my heart’s content and soon will begin writing short stories again :)
Jackie Wacky 3 years ago
I love this: don’t let wanting to be perfect stop you from doing something.
Wordfloe-Acid-Test 3 years ago
Learning for the sake of learning and enjoying a hobby for the sake of enjoyment <3
Mike Rodrick 3 years ago
Capitalism is evil. Would Jesus approve? The wealthiest ignoring the plight of the less fortunate is just cruel. 500,000 homeless in the richest country in the world.
M Kate McCulloch 3 years ago
If you want to, monetize it. If you don't want to, don't monetize it. Either way, the primary goal should be that you love doing it.
Steve in Denver 3 years ago
I have a strong singing voice, but the singers I'm most drawn to have unusual voices and strong poetry.
Amaranthim Talon 3 years ago
I don't generally Like hippy-dippy s**t, but this sings in all the right notes!
Kathy Stern 3 years ago
Thanks for this! I just started painting rocks and "losing" them in public places. I suck at it compared to other people but I still love doing it.
sebastian nye 3 years ago
I love this! because the moment i pick up an instrument i start comparing myself to all the virtuosos on YT
Eric Rossman 3 years ago
You don't even have to do the thing you enjoy if you don't want to. You can enjoy others doing it. Go to concerts (virtual right now, I guess), read lovely stories, look at beautiful artwork.
Amy Broderick 3 years ago
how do I upvote this multiple times. It's way too low on the rankings
lakitha tolbert 3 years ago (edited)
And as a corollary to that, just because you’re really good at something, doesn’t mean you need to monetize it! Let’s normalize being good at stuff just because we enjoy it being good at it, and it’s fun, not because it can make money! I’m adding this because I’ve been asked a bunch of time why I don’t sell my drawing or knitting skills and make moneyfrom them. I don’t do that, because I love what I do (and have a regular job I also love, with benefits, though.)
Damon Tripodi 3 years ago
Who the hell thought this in the first place? what the hell are you being taught?
The_tattered_hippie 3 years ago
That is one of my biggest gripes in my family right now. I love learning new hobbies, but EVERY time I do, my family is all “you should sell those on Etsy” or “that’s a good way to make some extra money” like geez- can’t I just have a hobby that I don’t have to turn into a business? Agh!
Donna Beach 3 years ago
Not sure what you mean. Seems they understand just fine. Is there a more complex comment you want to make to bring clarity to your vague statement?
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Noemie Houtekie-N'Da 3 years ago
I only dislike it when people are clearly bad at something and hate on people who work hard t be good at the same thing.
Mary Haynes 3 years ago
WISH I WOULD HAVE SANG MORE TO MY SON WHEN HE WAS LITTLE, EVEN THOU I HAVE A TERRIBLE VOICE.
deanna woods 3 years ago
My sister thinks that she is not a good photographer, but I tell her that that is nonsense.
Lillukka79 3 years ago
Or you could excel just for the heck of it. I'm great at my hobbies but I have no intension of selling them. All I do, I do with love so the only people that get them, are people I love.
Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago
Also you don’t really even need to have artistic interests. You can enjoy non artistic hobbies just as much.
Ryan Michael 3 years ago
And if you’re good at it, then nice! But the result shouldn’t make you not wanna try
#13
Someone I Went To School With Posted This About Giving Their Son A Unicorn-Themed Birthday Bash. Positive Parenting For The Win
Zuila 3 years ago
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."
#14
Family Is A Family Is A Family
Julie C Rose 3 years ago
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.
#15
Southern Hospitality
#17
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.
#18
Felt Like This Might Belong Here
#19
It's The Thought That Counts
#20
Never Too Late For New Beginnings
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?”
#21
We Are All Nerds Together
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
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.
#23
Good Guy Owner
MauKini 3 years ago
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).
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).
#25
Stress Relief
#26
Money Is Power, But Also Not
#27
Better Late Than Never
Nat Hedley 3 years ago
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.
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.
#29
Gay Pride Can Be Whatever You Want/Need It To Be
#30
Friendly Encouragement
#31
How Lovely
#32
Showing Respect For One Another’s Professions
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
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.
#33
Witches vs. Patriarchy
#34
Jesus Never Stutters
#35
You Get To Decide How You Define Being "Grownup"
#37
Taking Care Of Your Mental Health Is Important
#38
We’re All In This Together
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
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.
#39
Ok Zoomer
#40
They Had Us In The First Half
Karl Baxter 3 years ago
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.
#41
I Love Sharing My Book Collection
#43
Speak Everything
#44
Learning Is Awesome
#46
You’re Doing Just Fine
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
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.
#47
Blake Knows What's Up
#48
Gonna Remember Who Spoke To Me And Who Didn’t
#49
Accept Everyone And Respect Their Decisions Y’all
Add New Image
What do you think ?
The 5-star rated 5-star rating system 3 years ago
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.
Ozacoter 3 years ago
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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Hans 3 years ago
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.
Dogfan4life 3 years ago
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. 💕
*insert funny name* 3 years ago
Lets make a petition to get more posts like this one. I think a lot of Pandas would sign it
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
I have never wanted to hug so many people all at once in my life. Darned ninjas cutting onions *wipes tearse*
k1ddkanuck 3 years ago
This made me feel better. Things are hard right now. <3 to everyone, wherever and whoever you are.
WholesomeArmyweeb 3 years ago
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 :)
Joyce Blodgett 2 years ago
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!
alloutbikes@yahoo.com 3 years ago
Number 11 bible says make a joyful noise unto the lord. It never says you have to be on key.
Jonahs Mrs 3 years ago
Well that made me cry ( happy cry...there's hope for humanity yet by gosh)x
Ramona Rhein 3 years ago
Thank you. This is the best collection of panda posts I’ve read in a while. Restores my faith in humanity.
PandaMonium 3 years ago
I loved this post - I wanted to upvote everyone and give all these people hugs!
Sasha Kuleshov 3 years ago
Also go out to get some vitamin D, watch some trees and remember to drink water <3
Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago
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... The 5-star rated 5-star rating system 3 years ago
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.
Ozacoter 3 years ago
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... Hans 3 years ago
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.
Dogfan4life 3 years ago
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. 💕
*insert funny name* 3 years ago
Lets make a petition to get more posts like this one. I think a lot of Pandas would sign it
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
I have never wanted to hug so many people all at once in my life. Darned ninjas cutting onions *wipes tearse*
k1ddkanuck 3 years ago
This made me feel better. Things are hard right now. <3 to everyone, wherever and whoever you are.
WholesomeArmyweeb 3 years ago
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 :)
Joyce Blodgett 2 years ago
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!
alloutbikes@yahoo.com 3 years ago
Number 11 bible says make a joyful noise unto the lord. It never says you have to be on key.
Jonahs Mrs 3 years ago
Well that made me cry ( happy cry...there's hope for humanity yet by gosh)x
Ramona Rhein 3 years ago
Thank you. This is the best collection of panda posts I’ve read in a while. Restores my faith in humanity.
PandaMonium 3 years ago
I loved this post - I wanted to upvote everyone and give all these people hugs!
Sasha Kuleshov 3 years ago
Also go out to get some vitamin D, watch some trees and remember to drink water <3
Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago
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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