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Tolerance

Guest post by: Jim Stovall

Article Overview: Have you ever read something that failed to impact you and then - upon re-reading the same thing - you find it to be revolutionary? This happened to me recently with a book by Napoleon Hill. This particular book contains a lot of excerpts from that legendary writer and speaker. There was an essay entitled "Tolerance" that I know I have read more than once, but for whatever reason, I had not found it to be memorable. Upon my most recent reading, I discovered that it was one of the most significant things that Napoleon Hill ever wrote. The beginning of the essay is as follows:

Tolerance

Have you ever read something that failed to impact you and then - upon re-reading the same thing - you find it to be revolutionary? This happened to me recently with a book by Napoleon Hill. This particular book contains a lot of excerpts from that legendary writer and speaker.

There was an essay entitled "Tolerance" that I know I have read more than once, but for whatever reason, I had not found it to be memorable. Upon my most recent reading, I discovered that it was one of the most significant things that Napoleon Hill ever wrote. The beginning of the essay is as follows:

"When the dawn of intelligence shall spread over the eastern horizon of human progress, and ignorance and superstition shall have left their last footprint on the sands of time, it will be recorded in the last chapter of the book of man's crimes that his most grievous sin was that of intolerance."

Tolerance is nothing more than considering the other person's actions in light of their experience, background, and perspective. As human beings, we have a tendency to judge our own intentions but everyone else's actions. This sets up an impossible standard in our own minds that no one can live up to.

When we slight someone or perform in a sub-standard manner, we justify it in our own mind by saying, "I really didn't mean to do that. My intentions were good, but . . . ." On the other hand, when someone slights us, we too-often judge nothing other than the action, and we are not willing to give them the benefit of the doubt as to their intentions.

As you go through your daily activities, try to be conscious of both your intentions and your actions as you deal with other people. Often we are unintentionally abrupt or rude to people when we do not mean to be. It is simply a matter of not being conscious of communicating our true feelings. When we are living our lives at our highest level, our intentions and our actions will be the same; however, we will often miss this mark, and we have to be willing to accept the fact that others we deal with will miss this mark as well. And we do not have the benefit of understanding their intentions. We only feel and react to their actions.

Before you react to someone's apparent insensitivity, ask yourself, "Do they mean to make me feel the way I am feeling right now?" You may even want to inform the person, "Do you realize that when you say or do that, it makes me feel like . . . ." Then ask, "Is that what you intend to communicate to me?" You will find that most misunderstandings are simply miscommunications. And then you will find it is much easier to practice tolerance.

Today's the day!

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Article Tags: Jim Stovall, napoleon hill, tolerance



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