Dear Q,
Don’t tolerate difference. Tolerance is not enough; you tolerate something you don’t like, but can’t be bothered to try to change.
Accept difference. Embrace how people differ from you, differ from your expectations, and differ from what you are conditioned to believe people should look like, act like, live like, and be like.
Difference is not to be feared; it is to be celebrated. Allow your self the power to accept someone other people don’t. It takes far more strength of character to accept people who fall outside your social expectations than it does to tolerate or fear them.
Let them be and express themselves without having to explain and defend themselves.
Love always,
Mom
Oh how I love this. What a wonderful lesson to remember!!
And I don’t know if its new or I just never noticed or what…but I LOVE your header!!
Thanks, Liz! The header is relatively new. I needed a change.
Love it! (as I do all your Lessons)! Especially this: ” It takes far more strength of character to accept people who fall outside your social expectations than it does to tolerate or fear them.”. Very powerful words there, Sarah.
Thanks, Shannon!
Oh how your children will cherish these letters when they are older, love your words Sarah and this lesson!
I hope so! I look forward to them being able to comprehend them. Though, I do hope they serve only as reminders and I am able to instill all of this in them as they grow up.
May I use this same letter but sign my name instead? I mean, the Q works for me after all…
But in all seriousness, amen to all of what you said here. It does take more strength for someone to go against social norms and accept difference rather than just tolerate it. Well said sister!
Thanks, Justine! Hey… I guess this means you can steal all my letters!
What a great letter! and we so do need to teach acceptance!
I have always disliked the teaching of tolerance. Very well said, Sarah!
Same here! I don’t understand why kids are taught to merely tolerate each other. Why not just teach acceptence? They are very different.