“Through understanding and open-mindedness,
a tolerant person attracts someone different, and by genuinely accepting and accommodating
that person, demonstrates tolerance in practical form.”
The world our extended family of people can be depicted as a
large tree with many limbs, branches, and shoots. Each nation represented by a
limb branches and shoots. Each nation represented by a limb – is a brother or a
sister having families of their own. Those families – represented by are the
various provinces and communities made up of all religions and ethnic groups.
When the roots of history are seen by placement of family members on such a
genealogical tree, that perspective shows complementarity among all people and
demonstrates that coexistence is possible. Since the tree takes sustenance from
common, original roots which grew from one seed, the human family tree can be
no different. Coexistence stems from the very seed from which life sprang! And
tolerance, which also develops from that one seed, not only has roots which run
deep and which sustain, but also expresses itself in other diverse ways,
including enriching the soil and providing showers of acceptance and support.
Coexistence
The aim of tolerance is peaceful coexistence. While tolerance
recognizes individuality and diversity, it removes divisive masks and defuses
tension created by ignorance. It provides opportunity to discover and remove
stereotypes and stigmas associated with people perceived to be different
because of nationality, religion, or heritage. Just as a gardener recognizes
characteristics of each variety of seed and prepares the grounds accordingly, a
tolerant person takes into consideration the uniqueness of all people. Through
understanding and open-mindedness, a tolerant person attracts someone
different, and by genuinely accepting and accommodating that person,
demonstrates tolerance in practical form. As a result, relationships blossom.
The seed of tolerance, love, is sown with compassion and care.
The more one becomes loving and shares that love, the greater the power in that
love. When there is lack of love, there is lack of tolerance. For instance, the
example of mother and child: When an obstacle comes to a child, because the
mother has love for that child, she is prepared to and has the power to
tolerate anything. At that time, she does not worry about her own well-being
but uses love to confront all circumstances. Love makes anything easier to
tolerate.
Family is the first classroom to learn tolerance, as there is
always some adjustment to be made to accommodate others. School is the second
classroom. However, tests of tolerance are taken each and every day of one’s
life. Those who pass most often have the consciousness of appreciating the good
in people and in situations. Those receiving lower marks usually have shades or
degrees of disapproval. And those who pass with honor use the power of
tolerance as a shield of protection so that internal serenity remains
untouched.
Discrimination in Decision-Making
Tolerance is inner strength which enables the individual to face
and transform misunderstandings and difficulties. The method for that is first
to use discrimination in decision-making. By delving into the conscience, one
can determine what is right or wrong; what will bring benefit or loss; and what
will bring short- or long-term attainment. Insightful decisions result. The
power of decision-making eliminates upheaval in the mind and intellect as well
as between emotion and reason. There is neither conflict within the self nor with
others, since tolerance cultivates the ability to cool the strong and heated
feelings of others. Even if insults were thrown, there would not be the
slightest sign of wilting visible on the face. Knowledge and insight
automatically raise the protective shield of tolerance so that the individual
stays full and content and not threatened by people or circumstance. A tolerant
person is like a tree with an abundance of fruits. Even when pelted with sticks
and stones, the tree gives its fruit in return.
In official and professional settings, the fruit of one’s
intentions and actions can be damaged if- when interacting with colleagues –
the protective canopy of tolerance does not shade the tree. Those who have the
power to tolerate do not allow negative external vibrations to cloud their
minds and cause doubt and discontentment. There is inner contentment. They are
able to see things as they are rather than what they appear to be and to take
necessary action.
Ability to Accommodate
Certain circumstances often demand tolerance. Extremities of
seasons and varying levels of bodily pain are cases in point. The artisans of
science and technology have been invaluable in assisting human beings to
accommodate extreme heat and cold, and advanced medical treatment has done
wonders in helping individuals tolerate pain. Yet, such benefits do not mean
that discomfort is eliminated completely. At some level for all, and for some
more so than others, tolerance becomes an indispensable power to cope.
Tolerance develops the ability to accommodate the problems of
everyday living. The hundreds of people who rush to the train station after a
hard day’s work may be tired and weary. Their accommodation skills are tested
when the announcement is heard: “All trains have been cancelled due to
technical difficulties with the lines. Passengers are requested to use
alternative routes.” To tolerate life’s inconveniences is let go, be
light, make others light, and move on. Mountains are made into molehills, and
molehills are made into mustard seeds!
