Today is the International Day for Tolerance, an important initiative set into motion by the UN in 1996. This notion of tolerance has never been more needed, dare I say more essential than it is today. Although many of us claim to be tolerant, are we? Do we really understand what it means? Might prove beneficial to have a closer look.
According to dictionary.com tolerance is defined as:
1. a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, beliefs, practices, racial or ethnic origins, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry.
2. a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions, beliefs, and practices that differ from one's own.
3. interest in and concern for ideas, opinions, practices, etc., foreign to one's own; a liberal, undogmatic viewpoint.
I don't think we give the word enough gravitas really. We tend to think of tolerance as a by-product of societal norms. Something that was put in place in our collective civilizations to keep us effectively "civilized" and help us resist our violent or aggressive tendencies, keeping our most primal urges in check.
I believe it's much more than that. Tolerance is a word filled with weighty, thought-provoking, multi-faceted and, multi-coloured possibilities.
Tolerance is seeing beauty in everything and everyone -- a single blade of grass, a menacing cloud-filled sky, a burn victim's smile, and a worried mother's tears.
Tolerance is applauding courage even when it leads to awkward silences, unwanted spotlights and, discomfort.
Tolerance is extending our hand into the unknown, the uncomfortable, the messy, and effervescent lives of others.
Tolerant is what we aspire to be, long to become, endeavour to evolve into.
Ultimately, tolerance is accepting that this human condition is our collective truth and that when we respect and listen to others, we understand better who we are and what we stand for.
Tolerance is supporting others... through our empathy, by being sounding boards, offering solutions, or instilling coping skills.
Tolerance is trusting others... to be our guides when we are lost and cheerleaders when we find ourselves.
Tolerant is what we need to be in order to become better-than-just-good citizens in this ever-changing world.
Tolerance is love.
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