A Lesson in Tolerance
Transformation Magazine|February 2020
We are on human family, and each person is a mirror showing us the way forward.
Por Mary Boutieller
A Lesson in Tolerance

For several months now I’ve been thinking about tolerance and boundaries. What does it mean to be tolerant? What is acceptable and what is just not okay with me? In some areas of my life, I am very tolerant. I am accepting of many things— believing in “live and let live”—as long as no one is doing harm to another. Yet, in other areas of my life, I have become less tolerant. I am bothered much quicker by loud noises, obnoxious people, barking dogs, litterbugs, a lack of basic manners. It’s as if, suddenly, I’ve become the “older generation” thinking the world has gone to hell in a hand basket.

It is challenging for me to look at and to feel my own intolerances— body tightening, disapproving, head shaking, separating myself from “the other.” I lose my serenity. I feel old and cranky and not hip and quite humbugish. And, I sound like my mother!

One day, still troubled by these questions, I asked my yoga students how we (I) should handle these feelings of intolerance. I got a lot of amazing answers: “Look with compassion; put yourself in another’s shoes; have empathy; spread love...” All good answers, yet I needed more.

Then I looked up the definition of tolerance.

I thought about the idea of allowing something to be without the need to react. I think sometimes we can become so attuned to what bothers us that we become hypersensitive to things that really are okay, even if those actions aren’t ones we would choose. If I could allow others to do what they do (within reason) and not label it good or bad—just different, could I learn to relax a little more in my own skin?

This story is from the February 2020 edition of Transformation Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 2020 edition of Transformation Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TRANSFORMATION MAGAZINEView All
THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION - What do you want?
Transformation Magazine

THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION - What do you want?

Experience more of what you want, feed a happy mind, and find solutions faster;

time-read
8 mins  |
June 2021
FREE TO JUST BE
Transformation Magazine

FREE TO JUST BE

Creativity needs space and play time without judgment.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2021
I Don't Believe in Divine Intervention
Transformation Magazine

I Don't Believe in Divine Intervention

We can learn and practice ways to choose our experiences based on our divinity and the laws of Intention, Expectation, and Attraction.

time-read
6 mins  |
June 2021
Transformation Magazine

WE STARTED THE FIRES

World events have the power to change individual consciousness and human consciousness on a greater level.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2021
To age or not to age?
Transformation Magazine

To age or not to age?

Our bodies want to move and have strong muscles.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2021
SPIRITUAL ALIVENESS
Transformation Magazine

SPIRITUAL ALIVENESS

Sunrise is the best possible time to recharge yourself for each new day of activity.

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2021
Inspired Living
Transformation Magazine

Inspired Living

Know that we are timeless spiritual/energetic beings—and death is not a “goodbye,” just a “see you later.”

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2021
FIND YOUR WAY
Transformation Magazine

FIND YOUR WAY

There’s Angels and Masters and Dear late Aunt Tillie. All of this psychic stuff might sound pretty silly. Still we know that there’s something, we cannot deny it. But we’ll never know what, unless we just try it.

time-read
2 mins  |
June 2021
DO SOMETHING THAT MATTERS
Transformation Magazine

DO SOMETHING THAT MATTERS

What we give, we will receive, and kindness is a path that goes outward toward the intended and inward toward ourselves.

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2021
3 Keys to Sustainable Creativity
Transformation Magazine

3 Keys to Sustainable Creativity

Why you should stop trying to produce a bestseller

time-read
7 mins  |
June 2021