Tolerance is a noun defined as the willingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own. On this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I couldn't think of a better word to teach my children about.
Tolerance for me isn't all about race or gender or sexual orientation...in fact I don't think tolerance for me is about any of that except that people tend to have polarized views about these topics. For me tolerance is acceptance.
We have to accept that not everyone will ever believe the same way we do, nor should they. We can discuss these differences and agree to disagree on issues and still commune at the same table because we understand how to tolerate other beliefs.
In a family setting, I'm reminded of being tolerant of my children every time I turn off the tv and my Little Man begins to cry because he doesn't agree with my beliefs that too much tv is bad for us. My children have to be tolerant of my newest way to keep us healthy and happy. I have to be tolerant of their belief that just because they are done with one toy doesn't mean they have to clean it up right then.
Tolerance doesn't mean though, that we become complacent in our beliefs and just resign ourselves to that we can't make a difference or change the world. "Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others."
It doesn't mean that I allow my kids to create a huge mess and leave it that way forever. It means that I am understanding of their beliefs and I gently mold their views and allow them to mold my views until we find a place where we can live in harmony.
For this week my family will continue to work on peace, generosity, and add in tolerance because it's the right way to live. Join us in week 3 of our happy family challenge and share your successes and challenges, either here, on twitter using #HFC or #tolerance, Facebook or Instagram, showing how your family can...Be Tolerant!
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