Tolerance is a two way street. It is important that we learn and show tolerance; it is also important that others learn and show tolerance. Should you have a belief that you feel is important, a time may come when you want to express that belief for others to hear. This may be a time when you allow others to show tolerance for your beliefs, and maybe even choose to agree with them.
If you try to get others to agree with most of your beliefs much of the time, even for small things such as the best flavor of chewing gum, you may find that when you wish to stand up for something you find deeply important, then people may be less inclined to listen to you. However, if you choose not to worry about commenting very deeply on small matters, when something worthy of greater attention comes up, people will recognise how important it is for you, since you made a considered choice to take a stand.
Never stepping forward for your beliefs can also be a problem. You need to respect yourself enough that you also respect your own beliefs. You need to realise you are as valuable as anyone else. When you are unwilling to stand up for yourself and your beliefs, this gives bullies an opportunity to hurt not only you, but others as well, by their freely ignoring or even squashing you and what you care about.
When you do take a stand be sure to respect others in a way that you would want them to respect you. Just as you may enjoy the right to agree or disagree with others, allow others the right to freely agree or disagree with you. Your stand will be one of tolerance and integrity, if you choose to explain your beliefs and why they are important, rather than verbally or physically attacking individuals in order to frighten people into flimsy and often temporary agreement.
Copyright © 2002 March 08, Katherine Phelps