Tolerance: What is it and how to be tolerant?

George Alvarez 18-10-2023
George Alvarez

We can't always endure every kind of situation, since some of them leave a deep mark on our inner self. Even if we try, it is as if certain triggers lead us to an explosion of behavior, which often destroys a person's inner peace. In this text, you will understand what it means tolerance and you will discover how to become someone more tolerant!

What is tolerance?

In general terms, tolerance is the action of accepting some event that we cannot prevent or change Many people show a lack of social education when they encounter what is different in their lives. In short, everything that is averse to their reality deserves to be repudiated and challenged, in order for the situation to change.

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However, it is precisely this intolerant attitude that is the cause of various social and personal conflicts in the lives of many people. The incomprehension of a situation or a malaise interpreted as someone being wrong.

In this context, since social and human conflicts are quite frequent, tolerance is a vital resource for survival. We will not always surround ourselves with those who think alike, so we need to create condescension and acceptance for the sake of a good coexistence. It is not a matter of demeaning oneself, but of seeking an understanding of rights.

Inclusion of tolerance in society

As discussed above, the social environment in which we live can be very harmful to us, so tolerance provides a certain shield that becomes adequate to maintain our physical and mental health. Unnecessary debates can be avoided if a person creates proper understanding about the idea of what respect is.

Thus, being tolerant means accepting opinions that differ from ours without the need to intervene In general, this tolerant individual has a well-developed mental and emotional intelligence. He or she understands that some paths are worthwhile while others lead to wear and tear. His or her purpose is to receive, analyze, and understand.

It is worth pointing out that being tolerant means giving respect to others, but it doesn't mean agreeing with them. Because of this lack of understanding, many understand that this is a kind of plot. In their minds, "If he doesn't agree with one, he certainly supports the other. A clear example is found in the political division in our country.

Calendar

To raise awareness among the entire world population, the UN established November 16 as the International Day of Tolerance. The date aims to alert everyone about the need to understand everything that is different from us. With this, it proposes that we look at our concepts and review them in order to open a healthier conversation.

Unfortunately, many cultures end up marginalized by a mass that does not understand its guidelines. There is a whole social construction that has been left aside and has given way to massive attacks, discrimination and violence .

Take for example religious intolerance, which especially affects African, Latin, indigenous, Jewish, and Oriental cultures. The idea is to make the public understand that everyone has a full right to exercise their religious beliefs. As long as they don't use them to hurt anyone, they are free to work on them.

Concession X Recognition

When it comes to tolerance, many people confuse being tolerant with the act of giving in. For those who do not want to understand the real meaning of the term, it is all about agreeing with and submitting to someone or something. Basically, the tolerant person shows himself to be passive to everything that is imposed on him. However, this is not true, since a simple understanding of his posture reveals that:

Everyone has opinions

Each individual has sufficient free will to express his impressions No judicial or social law should prevent one from suffocating oneself with one's thoughts and reflections. Still, this is no excuse for one to be rude to the other. Above all, maximum respect is required.

Nobody has to give up his

As long as it doesn't offend anyone, your opinion can be said and should be consulted. At no time is it appropriate for an individual to give up his freedom of speech to give voice to another. Stand up for it, and only when necessary, change it for your own good and the good of others.

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Recognition of Rights

One must keep in mind that, as horrifying as it may be at times, everyone has a universal right to express themselves Moreover, this is configured as a fundamental freedom in one's life. Here we say that no one is obliged to accept something from someone, but rather, to understand that this person has the value to give an opinion.

How to be more tolerant

It may not be an easy task at first, but it is possible to build tolerance. The idea is to propose the intervention of appropriate ways to nurture a good contact with yourself and others. Brick by brick, you shape your perception and the way you receive external stimuli. This happens through the:

Respect

As said lines above, no matter how much you disagree, respect someone's opinion This will prevent unnecessary and very tiresome upheavals from building up for both parties. Not only will you be willing to listen to someone, but it will protect your image against bad impressions.

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Acceptance

When you think of everything that you cannot intervene or change, accept it, no matter how difficult it may be. This is because there is no point in intervening in a scenario in which we have no power whatsoever. For example, besides being wrong, it is not possible to direct what someone thinks. His psychic composition is unique and thinks in an alternate way from ours.

Embracing Diversity

Understand that everything around us is unique, personalized, and yet natural, so differences exist to stamp a label of diversity that corroborates with nature itself. No matter how much you don't like something, offer to get to know it, so that you can have a second opinion about it .

Final comments on tolerance

Because of the limited way of thinking that many of us possess, we can't handle every kind of situation that comes our way. Naturally, we can get irritated by everything that doesn't fit our expectations. However, this can deeply affect the way we feel about the world around us. Therefore, we need to protect our health, will, and desire.

This is the purpose of tolerance: to make us understand that something is different and that it is okay. Nobody is obliged to meet our expectations and has total freedom to act and think. However, this does not mean agreement or concession, nothing of the sort, only that we understand their motivations, respect them, and can live together.

To polish your tolerance In an increasingly closed world, enroll in our 100% virtual course on Clinical Psychoanalysis. Psychotherapy provides our students with a well-constructed evaluation of how we are doing in relation to our contacts. With personal or professional application, who chooses what to do with the certificate is you. Enroll and add Psychoanalysis as an interesting extra training!

George Alvarez

George Alvarez is a renowned psychoanalyst who has been practicing for over 20 years and is highly regarded in the field. He is a sought-after speaker and has conducted numerous workshops and training programs on psychoanalysis for professionals in the mental health industry. George is also an accomplished writer and has authored several books on psychoanalysis that have received critical acclaim. George Alvarez is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others and has created a popular blog on Online Training Course in Psychoanalysis that is widely followed by mental health professionals and students around the world. His blog provides a comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of psychoanalysis, from theory to practical applications. George is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of his clients and students.