Tolerance Is Your Strength. Not a Weakness.
It sets your mind free from all prejudices.
Tolerance and strength are often pitted against each other. But, you cannot have one without the other.
When New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made headlines last year for her steadfast and unabashed dedication to empathy, tolerance, and kindness in her leadership, the world saw it as a weakness.
But the result shocked everyone. New Zealand became the first nation to have flattened the curve. I still remember her interview where she said,
I’m tolerant and I am empathetic; it doesn’t mean I’m weak. That is a notion with which I completely disagree. I refuse to think you can’t be tolerant and strong at the same time.”
Her simple words left a deep impression on my mind. I began to see tolerance as a strength.
Let me tell you a Hindu mythological story about “tolerance.” I have grown up hearing this story, and it is perfect for this context.
“Today, let us not decide the winner by the amount of bloodshed. Instead, why don’t we conduct a discussion to choose the winner?” Indra (King of Deities) asked the King of the Asuras (devils).
“Certainly, but who will be the judge?” remarked the King of the Asuras. “There are beings of tremendous intelligence and eloquence among the devas (deities)and the Asuras,” Indra responded. “Let them determine who should win.”
The King of the Asuras then answered, “You may talk first.” Rather than speaking first, the Heavenly Ruler humbly stated, “I could speak first, but as the former king of the firmament, you should have priority.” Please take the floor first.”
“A dumb person puts up with insults out of fear and yet seeks pleasure in believing that his tolerance makes him superior to the aggressor,” remarked the King of the Asuras.
“Even if a dumb person puts up with insults out of fear, being tolerant actually offers us the greatest benefits,” Indra said. Tolerance is a virtue that exceeds all of the world’s fame and fortune.”
The King of the Asuras then stated, “Because they lack insight, foolish people must be forced to do what is good. They’re like sluggish cows who need to be pushed onward by the horns of more energetic cows breathing down their necks from behind. As a result, whips and spurs are the most effective means of controlling the foolish.”
“I think patience is the greatest method to govern the foolish,” the Heavenly King responded. When approached with an angry individual, their rage will naturally subside if one can wait in peace and silence. A saint or a follower of a saint is someone who has no hate or vexations. This is the type of person we should pay attention to.
“A person whose head is filled with enormous wrath and easily becomes furious will face difficulties as high as a mountain. On the other hand, if one can manage one’s wrath as soon as it emerges, as if harnessing a wild horse, one will have done a good act.”
The devas and asuras who presided over the discussion believed that King of the Asuras’ arguments were founded on conflict and force, but Indra supported putting debates and contests to rest with a mind free of wrath and malice. As a result, Indra was declared the winner by all of the judges.
Tolerance is a mindset, a manner of dealing with others; it is not a commandment that individuals must follow without fully comprehending what it entails or believing it is correct.
What makes us human is our ability to tolerate and care for one another. We accept uniqueness and variety while fostering peace and civic society by practicing tolerance.
Intolerance can be unlearnt. So, don’t learn to be intolerant and impatient.
Without tolerance and harmony, society can’t sustain long-term peace and love for one another. If there are no feelings of love, no spirit of selflessness can be developed. A person cannot have pleasant sentiments in his heart for others unless he learns to love, and he cannot faithfully fulfill the rights unless he’s tolerant of others’ opinions.
Tolerance refers to the readiness to accept or tolerate things you don’t agree with, as well as the ability to interact responsibly with others who aren’t like you. It entails expressing respect for other people’s or groups’ race, gender, opinions, religion, and beliefs and admiring their positive characteristics and achievements. And to convey one’s point of view respectably.
It takes courage and immense power to present or accept an idea without sounding bossy, rude, or authoritative. So, don’t mistake your tolerating ability as your weakness even if people instigate you or force you to believe so.
The Prompt for this Week: “An advice, or an idea that changed your life.”
Here’s my take on this week’s prompt: The Best Advice I Ever Received About Managing Anger
The above mythological story of tolerance prompted me to write about anger.
All prompt-based stories will be published on Saturday(August 14th ), so kindly send your stories before midnight (MDT).
Also, please don’t forget to mention if your story is in response to the prompt!
Spiritual Secrets’ Picks of the Week
Last week on Spiritual Secrets, we talked about “self-improvement through spirituality.”
I wrote: 5 Unique Ways Spirituality Helps in Self-Improvement ~ Spirituality allows you to uncover your actual personality and essence. It’s the process of sifting through your physical and emotional makeup to discover the core of who you are. It helps you change at a subtle level. At a deeper conscious level.
I received many thought-provoking responses from our creative writers. Here’re some of the best ones!
- Spiritual Awareness Brings Joy To The Lives Of People by Dr. Preeti Singh: A spiritually aware person is calm, cool, and has the power to discuss rationally. To give others their due and be happy. Reflection leads to self-improvement when you act on your failings and begin to improve things in your life.
- How Authentic Life and Awareness Helps You to Liberate from Your Sufferings by Ruchi Thalwal: Authenticity opens your heart. You release the hidden emotions. No matter how ugly, you accept them entirely. Instead of running away from them, you recognize their presence.
- 2 Words That Explains The Core of Spirituality by Shreya Badonia: You will still matter if you don’t send a rocket to Mars. You will still matter if you don’t succeed or have a Ph.D. “Just be!”
If you liked this story, join my friendly letter. It’s jam-packed with motivation and creative suggestions for you — the most important person in your life.
