The other day a friend posted a picture
of his parents who were celebrating being married 50 years. I asked
him to ask them what the secret of a long lasting relationship was.
His Mother said that if she had to put it in one word it would be
"tolerance."
That reminded me of the first time I'd
asked that question, 26 years ago. Tag and I were getting married - we lived in
Hawai'i and had family and friends there for the wedding. We took
them to a large luau as part of their touristy thing. During the
breaks of a wonderful show with dancing & music, the MC asked
"Who's here on their honeymoon?" and several people raised
their hands. "Who's here for an anniversary? " he asked,
and more people raised their hands for each year that he mentioned -
1st, 5th, 10th, etc. As he got up in numbers there were fewer hands
going up, and when he got to 50, a couple sitting at a table close to
us raised their hands.
On the way out of the hotel grounds, I found
myself behind them. "Excuse me" I said, "I'm getting
married in a couple of days.. can you tell me the secret to a long
lasting relationship?" The old man turned and looked at me with
big cow eyes, and then looked at his wife "Absolute love and
devotion" he said. She flung one word over her shoulder as she
continued walking - "Tolerance." I laughed, but it
made me start thinking about it. You need both - Love and Tolerance.
Tolerance is defined as a 'fair,
objective, and permissive attitude
toward opinions and practices
that differ from
one's own.'
It seems like this is something we
could use more of in the collective consciousness. Imagine how
countries would act toward each other with some tolerance. Imagine
what our political scene would look like with some tolerance.
Imagine how our families would work with some tolerance.
Regardless of the definition, I hear a
tendency to use the word with a bit of "well, I don't like it
but I'll put up with it" attitude. What if we used the word
'acceptance?' It seems softer. For me it is recognizing that not
everyone is going to think like I do - it's their right to think the
way they want, - and being OK with it. All relationships, no matter what kind they are , could
use some of this!
This week, let's practice accepting
each other. The best way would be to practice seeing God in
everything - the Divine in me recognizes the Divine in you. The
Divine in me recognizes the Divine in everything!
SPIRITUAL MIND TREATMENT
I celebrate the powerful presence of
Life within all things. I look around my world and see It
everywhere. It is manifested as everything! This Presence
within and around all is The Divine. All powerful, all knowing,
absolutely everywhere.
As I become more aware of the Truth of
these statements, it is easier to be accepting of the behaviors of
people in my life. I know that essentially everyone wants the
highest and best for all. Even if I don't think it looks like it, I
declare we are opening to a new way of being. We are open to seeing
the Truth in each other, and that Truth is God. God is Love made
manifest.
I declare right now "I am
committed to being more tolerant. I am part of the solution. I
promise to honor and respect The Divine in everyone and every thing."
Gratefully I release these words,
knowing Divine Mind is assisting me in attaining and maintaining the
consciousness I have declared. And so It is.
