Tolerance is a powerful tool for building strong relationships, communities and societies. It helps to promote understanding, empathy, diversity and inclusion. Tolerance is accepting that other people are different and rejecting stereotypes about people because of those differences which can be attributed to gender, race,  religion, health or socio-economic status, ideologies, perspectives etc.

As an individual, you need to be willing to accept and embrace people with different beliefs, opinions, practices and values from yours by exercising fairness, respect, objectivity and a non-judgemental attitude. Tolerance is important in promoting peace, unity, mutual respect and inclusiveness in a society.

Demonstrating tolerance

The following steps can guide your dealings with people:

1. Do not respond to people with anger. This can be quite difficult but take a deep breath and calm down. Exercise control over your emotions and avoid unnecessary fights.
2. Be an active listener. Listening is a very important skill and a lot can be achieved when you actively listen to the other person’s perspective and understand their point of view.
3. Be assertive with your boundaries and help others to understand it.
4. Show empathy.
5. It’s okay to quit relationships if it’s going to create a harmful or negative environment.