Metaphorically speaking, we all have buttons of the emotional kind, and not a day goes by that these buttons don’t get pushed by someone or something. Having your buttons “pushed” is a euphemism for getting angry; usually by something or someone we cannot control. Traffic, politics, in-laws, the weather… the reasons are endless. One aspect of creative anger management is the concept of tolerance: the ability to accept something as it is, or someone as they are. A quick look at the headlines and one can easily see that tolerance is in short supply today. In fact, an expression, “Zero Tolerance” is often used by people who are adamant about their beliefs and opinions. When the practice of zero tolerance is used in conjunction with illegal drugs, murder, etc. this is most acceptable. However, when the attitude of zero tolerance is used regarding differences in lifestyles, religious beliefs, eating habits, and such, what you are seeing is a person who feels threatened and is under stress. Metaphorically speaking, ALL of their buttons are pushed. Acceptance is one of the strongest coping techniques for stress, yet its also one of the hardest to implement, when the ego is running the show.
• Stress Tip(s) for the Day:
Take a look at the emotional control panel of your life today. What tends to push your buttons? Ask yourself, what do you feel intolerant of these days, and being completely honest with yourself, then dig deeper to ask yourself why? People often act as mirrors for ourselves. It has been said that quite often, those things we don’t like about others (or cannot accept about others) are the same qualities that we don’t like in ourselves (Freud called this defense mechanism “projection”.) Take a good look at yourself today, but taking a good look at others and begin the art of acceptance.
• Links/Books Worth Noting:
In searching the web for some additional links to the topic of tolerance and acceptance, it was astonished to see so many rants. Here is one link I thought was worth reading.
http://stayathomeparents.suite101.com/article.cfm/teaching_children_tolerance_and_acceptance
• Photo of the Day:
While in Istanbul last week, I, like so many other visitors, went to several of the city’s notable sights and tourist attractions. While it is not uncommon to see women wearing head scarves in Istanbul (this being a Muslim country and all) this group of tourists caught my eye. Enjoy.
• Quote for the Day:
“Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.” — G. K. Chesterton
“I have learned silence from the talkative, tolerance from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strangely, I should not be ungrateful to these teachers” — Kahlil Gibran
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
