Tolerance

I was reading a lesson by HelpfulProfessor, on Tolerance, having realized I did demonstrate some lack of the same for some time, to be honest for long time. The Professor provided some explanation.

Tolerance is the ability to accept and live with others for who they are. There are many things in life where people vary, and our acceptance of this diversity in life is vital to living together on a globalized planet.

Tolerance is what makes a society (and family is a subset of society) peaceful. Without it, a given society that has a mixture of different people will be in a never-ending conflict.

Increasingly, the idea of tolerance is seen as not enough: to tolerate means to grin and bear it, even if you don’t like it. Instead, we’re moving toward acceptance, a term that has less negative connotations.

Accepting Personality Differences

People have different personalities. People have different quirks, choices, humor, and ideals in life.

Tolerance of someone’s personality means not pushing or rubbing off somebody just because they are different from you. People must learn to accept their uniqueness, like the way he laughs, talks, smiles, etc. Without this level of tolerance, you will only cause unnecessary agitation among your group.

Accepting the Preferences of Others

Not all people like the same thing that you do. They may like rap music, and you like rock. They may like fantasy novels, but you like dark humor.

An intolerant person may point out that the choice of the other person is cheap or unintelligent. This, of course, causes hurt to the others who hear it. In reality, nobody is correct as far as artistic preferences are concerned. The same thing goes for fashion choices.

Accepting People’s Behaviors

This type of tolerance refers to exercising patience when people do something that bothers you. For example, a neighbor who has a temple in their backyard.

Tolerance in this situation means accepting that they can do what they want in their backyard so long as it isn’t rude or tangibly disruptive.

Of course, if people are partying almost every day, you also have the right to complain. In another case, some families may have children, and the children can make noise as they play. Yelling at these kids may be interpreted as intolerant.

Accepting People’s Traditions and Religions

People come from different religions, and they worship their god in their own way. These belief systems and traditions may seem strange or even outright wrong to you, but then you must understand that as long as the people are not harming others, they have a right to exercise their religion.

An example of intolerance in this case is a person confronting somebody who wears a hijab. The intolerant person being intolerant the Muslim because he or she feels affronted by a religion they don’t understand.

A tolerant person, on the other hand, would know that a person’s value and humanity goes beyond their religion. They come from a different perspective, and their choice to wear a certain religious outfit is their choice to make, not yours.

Accepting People’s Political Stances

Politics today is divisive, especially in countries where there is democracy. Voters from different political camps seem to look at one another with disdain.

A tolerant and mature person may come to respect that intelligent people come to different conclusions about politics. (And, even if someone’s position seems unintelligent to you, it’s their right to hold that view!).

It is sad that some friendships and family relationships had to end because of political disagreements, but it’s a reflection of the division that has entered our civil society in recent decades.

Accepting people you don’t get along with in the workplace

One of the most common times when we have to exercise tolerance is when we have to put up with a disagreeable colleague at work.

Tolerance may mean you need to accept when your colleague goes on a long diatribe in a meeting on a topic you don’t find relevant or useful. It may also mean in a university project that you need to find a way to include the perspectives of group members who you disagree with.

I find i have very low tolerance to behaviour not in consonance with my views, opinion, principles, values and data and that is causing avoidable negative feelings all around. How can I improve my tolerance?

I looked for and received advice in form of some strategies that might be helpful:

 * Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. By cultivating mindfulness, you can become more aware of your thoughts and reactions, allowing you to detach from them and respond more thoughtfully.

 * Challenge Your Assumptions: Consider why certain behaviors trigger negative reactions in you. Are your assumptions about these behaviors accurate, or are they based on biases or stereotypes? Questioning your assumptions can help you develop a more nuanced understanding of others' perspectives.

 * Seek Out Diverse Perspectives: Engage with people from different backgrounds and viewpoints. Read diverse books, listen to different types of music, and watch films that challenge your worldview. Exposure to diverse perspectives can broaden your understanding and increase your empathy.

 * Develop Empathy: Try to understand the motivations and experiences of others, even if you disagree with their actions or beliefs. Putting yourself in their shoes can help you develop compassion and tolerance.

 * Practice Active Listening: When interacting with others, truly listen to their viewpoints without interrupting or formulating counterarguments. Active listening shows respect and can help you understand their perspectives better.

 * Focus on Common Ground: Instead of focusing on differences, look for commonalities and shared values. This can help you connect with others on a deeper level and build bridges of understanding.

 * Be Patient with Yourself: Building tolerance is a gradual process. Don't get discouraged if you slip up occasionally. Acknowledge your progress and continue to work on developing a more tolerant mindset.

I was told, remember tolerance doesn't mean you have to agree with everything. It's about respecting others' right to hold different beliefs and opinions, even if you find them challenging or offensive. By cultivating a more tolerant mindset, you can create more positive and fulfilling relationships with others.