Tolerance – the benefits of

08 May Tolerance – the benefits of

When does tolerance benefit you?

There are times when practising tolerance benefits you and times when it doesn’t. Zero tolerance is necessary for certain things in life. Tolerance benefits you on other occasions. Wisdom is knowing when to practice which one.

Your wisdom knows how to make the distinction. Tolerance benefits you when it comes to being accepting of the differences between you and others. The exception, of course, is when differences are potentially harmful.

We are all different, and the more we understand someone, the more we accept them. Tolerance is required when we find it difficult to accept differences we do not understand or like.

The benefits of Zero Tolerance

As an adult, you are likely to work in a workplace that has signs everywhere, stating ‘Zero Tolerance’. But is this behaviour upheld by management through words and actions, or is it all talk, no action?

Whether it be bullying in the workplace or bullying in the schoolyard, it is the people in positions of power who lead the way. They determine the culture within the workplace. That person is the manager, CEO, principal, director or owner. The behaviour in the top ranks filters through the whole organisation regardless of what signs or policies are in place. Would you agree?

For children, their primary role models are their parents, childcare educators and teachers. Children mimic the behaviour of their role models. It is a waste of time to tell a child how to behave unless that same behaviour is what you display to them. Children do not listen to do as I say, not do as I do. Nobody does. We’re all in this together, just like COVID-19. Children need role models to look up to. If you want your child or grandchild treated well, that’s how you treat everyone else in the world.

Tolerance is not always acceptable

There are certain things in life which you must set some personal boundaries around. Many people have chosen not to drink alcohol because they do not want it in their life, and the reasons vary. For some, it’s about their skin, health including depression, or prior addictions. Tolerance did not serve them, abstinence did.

What are the limits to what you will and won’t tolerate in your life? When people overstep your mark, let them know. If you don’t, this is how abuse starts – domestic violence, drugs & alcohol and more, people tolerate things they shouldn’t, and then it escalates.

It takes acceptance, courage, self-discipline, wisdom and commitment to eliminate things, or people, in your life. If they do not serve you that is. Be kind to yourself. If people encourage you to do things that you are not comfortable in doing stop and think. Especially if it could have a potential long-term negative impact on your life. Stop and take time to reflect what you have tolerated up to now that you no longer want to.