Tolerance is your willingness to endure the existence of opinions or behaviour you dislike or disagree with. On the other hand, acceptance is assenting and embracing someone or something you don’t like without protesting and trying to change them.
One of the hardest things I struggle with is being in a room for hours with other personalities. I’m sure many may feel the same way about me.
In a sense, I am sociable, but in very small doses. I am paranoid and rarely go away with anyone for over a few days. I could be considered an introvert because I prefer to spend much time alone.
You would hate me if I were stuck in a room with you for over three hours. I have a short concentration span, and I get agitated and irritated, which can lead to bad behaviour.
I have a low tolerance level for people who suffer from logorrhoea, as they tend to dominate the room. I like to encourage the quiet ones to speak up.
In every meeting I have attended, there will always be the ones who talk too much, and it is not always down to mental health.
Of course, we are all unique and have defects, but I see that kind of person who lacks self-awareness and wants to be seen as more important.
I don’t know everything, and don’t pretend to. I do not overdramatise events that have happened in my life. I tell it as it is.
I do like meeting people. The beauty of meeting different characters for me is purely scientific. I love the study of human behaviour; believe me, I have met some peculiar characters.
But who am I to say what is ‘normal’? I live my life in a different way to others.
As they say, variety is the spice of life. I would have no subjects to study if we were all the same. I’m just joking; I generally love people.
I used to enjoy pleasing others but prefer to be true to myself. As I see it, what I do is my business if I do not harm or offend.
Life is too short to worry about what other people think of you.
I learned that in any situation that becomes stressful, to walk away.
Please make the most of the positive chances and make the best of it.
Patience has never been a strong point in my character as I like everything to be clean, organised, and on time, and I am not one for last-minute changes.
I have learnt that only some people have the gift of organisation skills or good timekeeping. I must accept that, but it does not mean I dislike people incapable of it; I would not rely on them for anything.
TREAT PEOPLE LIKE YOU WANT TO BE TREATED!
When travelling on public transport, I give another person room so as not to invade their space. I am self-aware.
I sound miserable, but that’s okay.
I like things the way I want them and try my best to avoid other people’s chaos.
Some people regularly use foul language in their vocabulary; I accept that some people are raised around this behaviour. I am not one to use expletive words unless I am riled up.
I prefer to spend little time around people with bad manners, but in this life, you will meet them in many walks of life. I accept that is how they are; it doesn’t matter. You have a choice when it comes to who you hang out with.
If you are not happy with the behaviour of others, it is best to stay clear of them. You cannot control the way someone behaves.
Noise is another thing I need help to handle, whether it be people, places, or something. I tend to stay away from noisy environments because they affect my mental state.
People talking loudly on their phones on public transport creates confusion for me, and if it is more than one person, I tend to go crazy and shout at them.
I’m not too fond of crowded places because I feel most vulnerable and avoid the rush—long queues, being on a train near others who lack basic hygiene or tend to cough without covering.
The list could go on, and it sounds like I am complaining. That’s okay.
I can tolerate many behaviours; I accept that everyone is different. I don’t believe I am better than anyone else; I have my standards.
To maintain the balance between tolerance and acceptance, limit your time around anything that agitates you. If your job entails tolerating them, you may need to rethink your career.
An example is that I must go to certain meetings and tolerate a lack of organisation and zero moderation, but if it is online, I can walk away from it and in public, I have learnt to zone out.
In life, you will briefly meet people that irritate you, but remember it is only for that moment. You choose who you have as friends.
In everything, there must be a balance.
Natalie Bleau
The Scripture of Balance
