Tolerance

Tolerance (noun): the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.


Tolerate (verb):
allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference. [synonym: allow, permit, condone, accept, swallow, countenance]
accept or endure (someone or something unpleasant or disliked) with forbearance.[synonym: endure, bear, take, stand, support, stomach, abide] comparable phrase: deal with, put up with
be capable of continued subjection to (a drug, toxin, or environmental condition) without adverse reaction.

I have put both these definitions up hear because we, as humans, seem to have lost the ability to have tolerance and to tolerate. Society wants to tell everyone how to behave, but does not teach the most important lesson of all. If we taught and exhibited tolerance there would be no need to moderate behavior. Part of learning tolerance involves learning about the ideals, norms, cultures of others. We would rather impose our beliefs on others so that they can be like us. I learned at a very early age to be tolerant. I was an overweight, mixed race, highly intelligent child. I was teased for being fat, disliked by white people because I was black, disliked by black people because I was very fair and had nice hair, shunned for being smart. I, first of all, had to develop a "thick skin", and secondly, had to learn to like myself. In the process of doing that I learned tolerance and to tolerate. As a child, and even more so as an adult, I have practiced the conscience act of trying to understand others and to let them be who they are. I have tried to learn about other cultures, religions, beliefs and respect everyone. Every major religion in the world has some variation of the tenet to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Maybe we as humans need to strive more to practice that.

Excuse the long post, I was just thinking on the Diva's Weekly Challenge and the young man who sent in his request. In response to the challenge I created the following tile:

Tolerance

 

 

 I used Micron 01 and 05 pens, #2 pencil and colored pencils for shading. Tangles used are Bunzo, Zinger and a tangle I came up with that I am calling g-whiz (the tangle in black). I will work on the step-out and post it later. I really liked the finished result of this tile and like the scan as well.

For Every Inchie Monday, I used the picture of the floral emblem of Scotland (had to look up this weeks word and found this).