That's right- Tolerance. As in: "the ability to endure, to not interfere with; allow, permit. To recognize and respect others' beliefs that differ from one's own, without sharing them. freedom from bigotry or prejudice"

Respecting other people's beliefs, opinions, and differences are what people seem to be lacking in the most. Most of the bloodiest Wars in History have been fought over the lack of Tolerance. What is it about man which makes him so angry and hateful of what is different? Is it the fear that what is different may be better than what he believes, has, or does? Does it threaten man's ego to think of himself as fallible? What?

I honestly can't say for certain. What I do know for sure is that with Tolerance, comes Empathy (Understanding). And, with Empathy, comes Wisdom.

Had mankind remained stuck in that archaic frame of mind (and many of us still are, mind you), we'de never have crossed the oceans, to discover new worlds (and new people). We'de never have learned their languages, and opened communications with them. We'de never have had the opportunity to better ourselves by pooling our knowledge with different cultures, and gained from the sharing. The very country that we live in- the most powerful Nation in the World- the good ol' U.S. of A.- is, itself, a "Melting Pot" of peoples and cultures from around the world, is it not?

Why, then, are people in this day and age still so intolerant of what is different? They go out of their way to waste their time and energy to try at every given opportunity to step all over whoever and whatever does not conform with their own narrow views, or their own black and white realities. Are they just so stubborn that they cannot open their closed minds just far enough to allow for an alternative? As someone famous once said, "One should be able to entertain an idea without having to believe it." And, "Minds are like parachutes- they only work when opened."

So, the next time that someone comes to you with a perception or an idea that is different from your own or the 'status quo', I strongly suggest that you fight your own impulses, and just stop and listen. I mean REALLY listen. Just allow for the possibility of what they have to say, and respect it. If your opinion happens to differ, then by all means, share it. But, you can do so with respect. And, if you can't, then you are obviously the one with the problem.

You know, if people had never challenged the status quo and their own beliefs, we'de probably all still be stuck on seperate continents, still living under the belief that the World is Flat! At one time, anyone who suggested otherwise, was deemed a heretic!

The enlightened live by a more evolved sensibility. They seek to better themselves through learning. Not merely to make themselves feel better by inflating their ego by surrounding themselves with only those who agree with them! Food for Thought!