ARE YOU TOLERANT?

Do you recognize the merits
of other people around you?

Do you respect their opinions
though you think they are unsound?

Can you overlook an offense
that’s unintentionally done?

And try to mind your business
yet be helpful to everyone?

Can you accept criticisms
good-naturedly and well?

Can you argue agreeably
yet say what’s there to tell?

Do you practice the golden rule
on your rounds everyday?

Then you practice tolerance
in your own simple way.

- adapted –

We deal with people everyday. From the people we live with such as our family, our friends and colleagues at work, our neighbors to the strangers we encounter as we go about daily living. It is inescapable unless you decide to live as a hermit away from the maddening crowed. But in this time and age it is hardly a feasible life style fit for survival.

From childhood we learned the simple rules of getting along with others. As we get along, we acquire the necessary social skills to be at ease with people at every level of interpersonal relationship.

Tolerance is fundamental in any interpersonal relationship. It is perhaps the most essential element to make any relationship work. Without it, individuals shall be in constant strife with one another and collectively can bring about hatred and war between peoples of different demographic backgrounds.

Tolerance is a matter of attitude. It is not enough we know how important it is or how it is done. Ultimately, we have to practice it to be effective on our relationship with others.

To be tolerant is to be giving. The kinder among us are perhaps more tolerant than others. The kinder the person the more tolerant because these people are friendlier and can get along with others better.

Being appreciative, forgiving, respectful and patient are characteristics of a tolerant person. While we think that we have to work hard for these to be followed, they are actually easy and comes naturally to anyone. The simple gestures such as listening patiently to somebody wearisome, getting-out of your way to help despite the inconvenience, staying-out of the gossip circle or ignoring the petty annoyances of others are actual practices of tolerance that we oftentimes don’t realize.

Yes, it is essential that we each be tolerant towards one another. None of us is perfect. As individuals, we each have to bear with one another’s set of faults and vulnerabilities. If you wanted others to be tolerant towards you, then be tolerant yourself. The golden rule as stated by Confucius, “Do not do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you.” and Jesus Christ said, “Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.” Both version of this saying reflects the essential value of mutuality that fosters better interpersonal relationship and greater harmony among peoples of variation.

If you mange well being more tolerant, you will soon discover that amidst the harsh reality of life lurks a kinder realm that brings peace and joy to our world of strife and contradiction.