Tolerance

        "On a beach there are many specks of sand. In the world there are many, many people as numerous as the sand. Each person, each individual has his or her own set of standards, ideas, and guidelines. Some have been born with the birth of the individual and many have been added in the memory storehouse due to experiences and family background. When you think of the different personalities you meet each day and the many you may read or hear about, is it any wonder that tolerance is needed. There are many harmonious groups that tend to think along the same lines, but even within the group, there will be variations of belief.

        How then are we to find a common thread? What is there that can link you to another who may be radically different from you? What is that other person has beliefs that are totally different or ones that cause disagreement or upset? At no time is it possible for all to have the exact same feeling or belief because we color our views with our own heart and mind.

        Tolerance is a difficult concept. How much does one tolerate? How much does one bend in the acceptance of another's beliefs? Or must they be accepted? How then do we show respect to that which does not fit one's own belief system? There is no easy answer. Perhaps the use of a color analogy would help. We have certain basic colors, but mixed with different hues, we obtain a variety. Each artist uses the same ingredients, look at the never ending new images which appear. Some hues blend better with others, and some do not blend at all. For those that are not harmonious, there needs to be space between to balance the visual effect. It is the same with people. If your 'hue' or belief does not balance with another, then you need to give that person space to keep the balance. If it is harmonious, then there is a better chance for closeness and sometimes these hues or ideas overlap and bring out a different picture. We do not have to all have the same colors exhibited, the same views. We can listen and observe, we can learn and we can incorporate and also discard those that do not fit in one's own picture.

        Again, using the idea of hues, one may find a common smoothness, a texture, a harmony that can be used as a blending agent. It is called balance. One's own sense of balance can allow for a greater field of tolerance. It is when there is imbalance that there is little room. We 'paint' a picture each day with our views, our mind, our words, and that picture should be one that is pleasing to one's own self as well as to others. It will not always blend and that should be expected, but giving one's self space and another the same space will help bring harmony and balance to the bigger picture.

        As you paint your daily 'picture', step back and take a look at the view. Perhaps you will like the overall effect, or perhaps you will want to add a different 'hue'."