Guiding Light Tolerance: A Blessing in Disguise

There is no doubt in the fact that most of us want others to treat us decently, however one must not forget that while expecting so, we too need to treat them decently as well. The key ingredient for every relationship to work is mutual understanding and acceptance between two parties wherein letting go and giving ample space is mandatory. However when someone feels offended with us and evinces anger because of some minor mis-understanding, we should protect our relationship by the using umbrella of tolerance and safeguard ourselves from getting unwanted sorrow. Similarly acceptance is something that goes a step beyond tolerance. Remember! we can tolerate something without accepting, but we cannot accept anything without tolerating it. For example, when we get hurt un-intentionally by the very person we love the most, we somehow tolerate it without understanding his/her situation, however if we try to first understand opposite person’s dilemma and accept it with a big heart, then this act of ours would prevent further tension in our relationship. Many people consider tolerance to bea weakness or an act of cowardice. But,the fact is that it is indicative of one’s inner strength, gentlemanliness, civility, cul tured sense and moral maturity. A person can be tolerant only if he has self control, grace and wisdom, because a foolish person shows the beast in him very easily. History is witness to stories of tolerance that holy men possessed. They were badly treated, ridiculed, imp er se cut ed and humiliated and yet, out of compassion, they stood above this all. They accepted to wear a crown of thorns for the sake of others who followed them. Thus, those whose aim is to serve, to do others good, to be benevolent to the peaceless and the suffering, have to be tolerant. Tolerance does not mean maintaining silence with such great pleasure on the mind that it causes discomfort or pain. NO ! it is infact a voluntary display of goodwill in the face of grave provocations. It is based on understanding that it is divine gift for both i.e one who observes tolerance and the other towards whom he observes tolerance. The present world situation is such that anger, hate, cruelty, violence etc.. are seen everywhere. There are signs and scenes of tension and preparation for war. Under such a scenario, it is best that we all have a better world through tolerance, acceptance and understanding.