How often do we hear that we need to be more tolerant? Tolerant regarding other people’s opinions, way of living, and decisions. And, of course, it goes further than being tolerant regarding different cultures or religions, races, and LGBTYQIA+. But is becoming more tolerant a good idea? It made me think about the meaning of tolerance.

I found this definition that pretty much says how I interpreted the word: “the ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behavior that one dislikes or disagrees with.” So, this means that tolerance is the wrong denomination when we look at what I listed in the previous paragraph. In fact, this is an arrogant attitude that lifts the person who tolerates above what they tolerate. Tolerance does not change the attitude but even defends it and says: “I let you do the wrong thing.”

No, what we need is a natural and reflexive openness. It is a combination of acceptance and respect, empathy, and the understanding that differences are the commonalities. If there was only one color in this world, there were no paintings. If there was only one pitch in this world, there was no music. If there was only one smell in this world, food was only a necessary way of keeping the body alive. The differences bring joy, inspire, widen the horizons, create progress, and fill our lives with endless content.

Now, if we think of one word that sums up everything, it is love. Love includes everything, such as respect, acceptance, compassion, support, and non-judgment. Love does not need tolerance because, for love, it is undoubtedly clear that everyone is as they should be in order to create a great whole. We can be tolerant when it comes to small mistakes, when a teenager has struck a wrong note, or when we were treated unfairly. But in my opinion, tolerance is intolerable when it comes to the composition of an individual.

Love doesn’t need anything.
Love doesn’t need to differ.
Love unites.
Love simply is.

In Love and Light