There is no rainbow without rain.Equality. This situation has shown us that we are all the same regardless of our religion, culture, customs, whether we are poor or rich. The virus simply does not choose. It connected us in a way, it showed us that we should all stick together. During this chaos, while many of us in a panic, it showed us the weight of humanity. It reminded us who we are.We humans are fragile by ourselves. Our strength lies in being part of a community.

There is good in every evil.I can single out isolation - staying at home – as one of the most important measures. I found it hard and boring. But over time, I started to find hobbies. I tried things I had never tried before. I spent a lot more time with my parents, and even though I didn’t go out, I exercised at home. I had the time to watch the TV series and read books I never had the time for! Online learning is much easier, more flexible and stress-free.One of the most important things I’ve learned while we’re in isolation is to take care of myself and to devote more time to myself.

A pandemic that taught me to love.It taught me to love, to listen, to care, to respect and to help.Help - that’s the word I’m looking for. What does it mean “to help someone”? Help someone to teach them something. Help someone by having a conversation with them. We should use this word in our vocabulary more often, so we can see a smile on people’s faces more often. This situation taught me to love. Not only to love a person, but also to love the little things in life.

Life is a lesson, we learn and continue to learn every day.We learn how to live every day. We choose the path we will take.Everything doesn’t have to be perfect in life for us to be happy and to appreciate ourselves and everything around us. We just have to be greatful.Remember that the best life lesson is learned during hard times and when we make mistakes.Enjoy your life and appreciate what you have. Just think about the fact that there are people in the world with less. Be happy and positive for everything around you and you will become a stonger person.

UNICEF Young Reporters shed light on the lessons they have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

communication

Communication

Lessons We Will Learn From This Pandemic

It’s no exaggeration to say anime has taught us more about life than school ever will. Like the importance of setting goals, and following your own path.The most you learn in school is how to count numbers, subtract, add and multiply.But anime will teach you things no school will dare to teach. Because it’s not within their best interests.

What Anime Has To Say

You’re human so it means you’re not invincible. People die everyday, and someday we’re going to die too. So start working on AND thinking about what you want to accomplish. Or you might regret it later.

1. Your time is limited, so start working on your goals TODAY

How many people use their “pain” as an excuse to hurt others?Just because you’re “life is hard” doesn’t mean it’s OK to inflict your pain onto others, just to make yourself feel better. Instead – choose to be kind. Either way it all starts with a decision, and kindness will almost always make you feel better than the alternative.

2. Kindness starts with making a decision

Pranks. Bullying. Making fun of others to make yourself feel better… Yes, people like this do exist.And not only do they exist – there are MANY people who get a kick out of hurting others. Because they themselves have shitty lives and aren’t willing to take responsibility for their own bullshit.

3. The world is a cruel place full of cruel people

Child soldiers. War. Death from starvation. Knife crime. Shootings. Terrorism. Racially-motivated murder. Disease…Do you realize how often these things happen on a daily basis? And do you realize how many people DIE as a result of these circumstances and issues?If you’re alive, and you have your arms and legs, and you’re healthy, what guts have you got to complain about really?

4. Being alive is a miracle that most of us take for granted

Tanaka makes a good point. People LOVE to argue just because they don’t wanna hurt their pride by giving up.Reality check: Your pride doesn’t mean shit. Is it really worth losing friends and family over HOW you feel about something? Arguing for arguments sake is just stupid.

5. It’s better to apologize even if you’re not at fault, than it is to argue just to prove a point

It doesn’t matter what you’ve been through, what you’re going through, or how unfair things have been. Because after all is said and done – the person making your decisions… is yourself.Better to take responsibility than it is to complain about something you’ve decided to do nothing about.

6. Making excuses is a waste of energy

We start out pure when we’re babies. Then along the way we’re influenced by the world, for better or for worse.And if put in the wrong situation, even the purest person will reveal a darker side hidden under the surface.Guns are the perfect example of this.

7. Everybody has a dark side, given the right circumstances

Society is full of sheep. So it’s no surprise why so many of the herd associate “being alone” with “being a loser” or anything related.Like a lot of things, people confuse being alone with being lonely. Being alone is a physical state. You’re by yourself, and nothing more. But being lonely is an emotional state, causing you to feel unhappy because you’re by yourself.

8. Being alone isn’t a bad thing

Staying with the wrong friend, or being in the wrong relationship is WORSE than being alone. Because then you’re doing something that makes you unhappy in the name of pride. I don’t know about you, but being alone and happy is better than being unhappy and being around people who don’t give a damn about you.

9. Being alone is better than being with the wrong person

You might intend to do the right thing. Your intentions can even be pure. But if your actions contradict your intentions, it doesn’t matter. Because that’s how you’ll be judged.Whether that’s fair or not is irrelevant.That’s why the saying: “actions speak louder than words” is true, even if it’s a little corny.

10. People judge you by your actions, not your intentions

Bullying others, or trying to tear down what they’ve built just proves you’re weak, fragile, insecure and nothing but a coward.In the same way – being nice to others makes you more trustworthy and respectable.How we treat others is a tell-tale sign of how we feel on the inside for better or for worse.

11. How you treat others says more about YOU than it does about them

The difference between a person who succeeds, and a person who fails, is how they think.Imagine you’re in a 100 meter race with 5 people. You’re all equally talented, healthy, and fit enough to run a 100 meter sprint. Despite these facts, only ONE person will be declared the winner.Why is that? Because along the way, some will say: “there’s no way I’m going to win, so I may as well quit while I can”. But the winner will say: “I’ll succeed no matter what it takes”.

12. Success is a state of mind

Self pity, like most things, is a habit formed over time. The more you pity yourself, the more horrible you’ll begin to feel. Until it literally becomes your own worst nightmare.

13. Self pity is the enemy to happiness

Talk is cheap as they say. And in this case it’s true.Talking a big game, and giving a motivational speech is all great… But if you don’t take action and actually do something, it’s meaningless.Change starts with action.

14. The world can’t be changed with pretty words alone

The Kardashians. Celebrity gossip. Being jealous of people who are doing “better”. Or even stressing about your so called “competition”.All these things just make you weak. They crush your resolve, and hinder you from changing your own life. Because you’re too busy sticking your nose in others lives.At some point you have to ask – what about me? And then get started.

15. You can’t sit around envying others

We are rebellious and hate the thought of living by the so called rules. Which is why some enjoy bending and breaking them.And besides – abiding by the rules is not just easy, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll be useful, happy or accomplished.

16. Rules aren’t made for us, they’re made for the people who created it

This is a harsh truth.Sometimes on the surface it’s impossible to know someone’s true intentions. So all you can do is trust and believe what you see is who they really are. Until proven otherwise.Perception does create reality after all, even if what we perceive is a false assumption. Or simply not true.

17. How you perceive someone is their true identity

﻿What’s your biggest life lesson learned from an anime?

Quotes and Insights from Your Favorite Anime Characters

books

Books

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

Anime Wisdom

Anime will teach you more than school ever will. Because there are so many deep and thoughtful lessons that apply to all walks of life and experiences. Check out these 17 life lessons with a quote for each lesson...

17 Life Lessons You Can Learn From Anime In 7 Minutes

Filipinos are widely known for their warmth and hospitality. Islands may have separated the people but their unity as one country always emerges in times of need.Interestingly, there are some noticeable quirks observed in a Filipino. In fact, it’s easy to tell that you’re a&nbsp;Filipino because…

Swagapino

1. You look back whenever someone hisses to catch your attention

2. You give directions using your pursed lips

3. You eat street foods like chicken feet, pig’s blood and  balut

4. You dip bread in your coffee

Where you see youthful smiles and genuine satisfaction.

5. You occasionally take a bath under the rain

6. You really want to experience snow

It's just an ordinary day, come on!

7. You have epic concerts in the bathroom

Not gonna lie. But better late than never. 😁

8. You are always late for your appointments

This is done by the person giving the greeting bows towards the offered hand of the elder and presses his or her forehead on the elder’s hand. Similar gesture to hand-kissing.

9. You do “mano po” as a way of greeting your grandparents

10. You take home a doggie bag with the leftover food from the party you attended

Hosts are expected to share if there’s food in their plate. Most of the time, invitees are expected to decline with a polite response “No thanks, I already ate.”

11. You ask a guest “have you already eaten?” as a general greeting, regardless of time of day and location

Not to mention that the karaoke machine was invented by a Filipino.

12. You sing videoke in any gathering

"Ate" (ah-teh) and "kuya" are also used to call an older sister and older brother.

13. You give endearments like “ate” for female or “kuya” for male when you don’t know their names

Even if the price is already cheap, they still haggle to get a good deal.

14. You never fail to haggle when the price is high

Filipinos are too polite to turn down invitations.

15. You say things like “Yes, I think I can make it” when invited to an event, even though you probably won’t show up

Try it! It's more convenient and less waste of water.

16. You use a dipper instead of a shower to take a bath

17. You eat with your bare hands

In the Philippines, it is family first. So whether you are part of the immediate family or you belong to the third or fourth generation, you are treated as a family member. Sometimes, even the closest of friends are considered family, too.

18. You take pride of your family

Filipinos love to hold celebrations and fiestas. Bacolod has its MassKara Festival, Davao has its Kadayawan Festival, and Marinduque has its Moriones Festival. They are all over the islands.

19. You love to party

As early as September 1, you can hear Christmas songs and jingles being played in the malls or in the restaurants in the Philippines. The mood becomes festive, with many people shopping and in good spirits. Christmas celebrations last until around the first or second week of January

20. You celebrate the longest Christmas season — ever

You use your lips to give directions, and dip bread in coffee.

artsandculture

Society, Arts & Culture

20 Signs You Were Born and Raised in The Philippines

Happiness is a state of mind. Specifically, it is a state of “well-being and contentment.”This is the reason some people say, “Don’t pursue happiness, seek joy. Happiness is fickle and fading, joy remains forever.”But this short-term definition of happiness is not how everyone understands the word. Some define it to mean long-term satisfaction.The long-term feeling of life satisfaction is most experienced when we embrace the emotion of joy in the here and now.

Being Happy: Not A Cliché

The most important thing to realize about happiness is that it is not an outcome of current circumstances. Just the opposite, happiness is a choice. Is this easier on some days than others? Absolutely. But if you get caught in the trap of thinking your circumstances need to change before you can be happy, you’ll never, ever get there.

1. Choose happiness

There are good things in your life right now: you are alive, you are fed, you are healthy, you have family and friends, and you have opportunities each day to pursue meaningful work. Maybe not all of those are true for you right now, but certainly some of them are — which means there is good in your life that you can focus on.

2. Focus on the good

No matter how you choose to define happiness —short-term or long-term — comparison will rob you of it. Whether we compare our finances, our body type, our vacations, our talents, our house size or our shoe size, there are no winners in the game of comparison. But here’s the good news: Nobody is forcing you to play! You can stop any time you want. Be grateful for what you have, appreciate who you are, work hard every day to live your best life, and stop comparing yourself to others.

3.  Stop comparing

In the world of positive psychology, gratitude and generosity can only be understood correctly when we see them as disciplines rather than responses . A discipline is something we practice regardless of our circumstances. If you are waiting for enough money to become generous, you’ll never get there. Likewise, if you are waiting for everything to be perfect to be grateful, you’ll never experience it. Choose to be thankful today. And choose to be generous with your time and money.

4. Practice gratitude and generosity

Possessions are necessary for life, but our society has seemed to confuse consumerism with happiness.Slowly but surely, we begin to believe their empty promises and waste our lives pursuing things that can never satisfy. We sacrifice time, money, energy, and focus chasing and accumulating things we do not need.These excess possessions add stress, worry, and burden onto our lives. And so, go declutter a closet or drawer and start to challenge consumerism in your life.

5. Don’t pursue physical possessions

Close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives, the study revealed. Those ties protect people from life’s discontents, help to delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes.We don’t get to control every aspect of our relationships (we didn’t choose our family, for example). But we can all take steps to be a good friend. And good friends tend to attract healthy community.

6. Be present in your relationships

Our lives are filled with days, our days are filled with hours, and this present hour is filled with whatever you chose to fill it with. So pursue healthy habits that add value to your hours, days, and lifetime.Spend time outside. Eat healthy. Exercise regularly. Quit smoking. Put down your cell phone. Work hard. Pray often. And get enough sleep.

7. Develop healthy habits

The most efficient pathway to lasting happiness and fulfillment is not to look only at your own interests, but also to the interests of others. When we shift our focus off of ourselves, we live lives of greater meaning and greater contribution. When we serve others without concern over what we might receive in return, we experience the beauty of selfless love. The size of our universe (and happiness) begins to expand exponentially.

8. Look outside yourself

Looking for ways to learn how to be happier? Try out these 8 ways to be happier today.

Lessons We Will Learn From This Pandemic

17 Life Lessons You Can Learn From Anime In 7 Minutes

20 Signs You Were Born and Raised in The Philippines

How to Be Happy: 8 Ways to Be Happier Today

Juaca Bengal