Tolerance

Tolerance is the ability or willingness to allow something to exist or occur without interfering with it. In particular it deals with the existence of opinions or behaviors that you do not agree with. Each person has a different level of tolerance but this is not fixed. This is another skill that is helpful to have a happier healthy life. It is also an important aspect of the holiday season.

Last month I talked about dealing with stress and building resilience. Tolerance is a step further. Remember not everyone celebrates the same holidays you do. No 2 families have the same traditions for the same holiday. Rather than seeing this as a problem see this as a way to learn more about how other people live their lives. Tolerance is respecting that other people may not share your views and beliefs. That does not mean that you disagree, you just have a different point of view.

The point of traditions and holidays is to celebrate and honor our past. Each of us has a different heritage so each person’s memories and traditions are different. It is not fair to expect others to embrace what you believe just as you can not be expected to embrace someone else’s. It is not unreasonable to honor and appreciate the other person’s point of view.

Be aware that others are not celebrating your holiday. Saying Happy Holidays instead of your particular belief may seem silly. But see this from the other person’s point of view. You are greeting them for something that is not part of their belief system. Appreciating that they may not believe what you believe does not diminish your belief. It gives the other person the feeling that you are wishing them well. You may even ask them what holiday traditions they practice. When your belief is strong you can listen and appreciate a different point of view. If you find this threatening you may need to look at the strength of your own beliefs.

This same example of tolerance can be applied to all other differences in life. Educate yourself on conflicting issues. The more you learn about people who are not like you the more you learn about them and about yourself. Try to see things from another person’s point of view. You may find it easier to understand and get along with others. Tolerance has a component of not digging in. Appreciate each other this season and try to get along. That is really what this season is all about no matter what background you come from. Happy Holidays.

Photo by Sarah Ardin on Unsplash