When we “tolerate” another person, we are implicitly saying that “I know better than you, but I will tolerate you.”  It is a way to place ourselves above others.  We think that we are doing a service to that person and the world by showing how “tolerable” we are of others.   However, what we are really saying is that I am superior to you, and you should be grateful that I am willing to let you do the things for which I do not approve.

If you find yourself, thinking about “tolerance” in your life, you might evaluate your actions and beliefs in a little more detail.  When we “tolerate” we are dividing.  When we accept, we are uniting.  Maybe the United States should think about “acceptance” so that they might live up to their country’s name.

So, what is acceptance, you might ask?  Acceptance involves not only “allowing” others to their own actions and beliefs, but rather involves loving a person regardless of their beliefs and actions.  When we accept someone, we acknowledge their inner truth and their inner spirit.  We know that everyone has their own inner truth, and we understand that it may differ and should differ from our own inner truth.

We understand that we will love and support others regardless of their beliefs and actions, so long as their pursuit is done with integrity.  When a parent loves their child, it is unconditional love.  It is love that is accompanied by “acceptance” and understanding that whatever path their child decides to take, they will continue to love them.  When we accept other people, especially “groups” of people we may have never met, we are acknowledging the differences in the world.

When we think that in order for our beliefs and view of the world is correct, all differing beliefs are wrong, we are not practicing acceptance.  When we can create our beliefs, and truly accept without judgment, the beliefs of those contradicting our beliefs, we have grown past the ego.   The ego wants you to think that you cannot be “right” unless differing views are “wrong.”

You may think that there is only one way to build a road from city “A” to city “B,” but alternative paths will still connect the two cities.  Much like your views and beliefs in life – there is no right way, and no wrong way.

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Think about the people in your life that you are “tolerating” without acceptance.  Let go of the need to be “superior” and begin to see each person for who they really are.  Connect to their inner spirit, with your inner spirit and find the acceptance and love that is masked in the physical world!

Written Fri, Nov 21, 2014 8:00 – 8:10 AM MST