SPECIAL ISSUE #31

WHAT HAPPENED TO TOLERANCE?

“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.” — John F. Kennedy

The question I've been asking myself for quite some time now:

WHAT HAPPENED TO TOLERANCE?

“Our uniqueness, our individuality, and our life experience molds us into fascinating beings. I hope we can embrace that. I pray we may all challenge ourselves to delve into the deepest resources of our hearts to cultivate an atmosphere of understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and compassion. We are all in this life together.” — Linda Thompson

Perhaps it's a generational issue or just something the media is pushing on us again - which would be my educated guess.

All this gender nonsense and homophobia is made worse and worse by having to be politically correct in everything we say and do.

No matter who I'm dealing with or whose music I'm listening to, I've never asked myself what sexual preferences that person might have. It simply doesn't matter to me because the only thing that was and is important to me is: do I like this person, does the music touch me, do I like the art, does the poetry move me, am I interested in what the other person has to say?

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Fortunately, when I grew up we didn't have any laws that wanted to coerce or force us to be "in solidarity". There were also no threats of sanctions or self-appointed moral guardians who had to censor us if someone made a joke. We settled these things between us. I am not saying that everything used to be better. Things just change and evolve, some for the better and some for the worse. What I can definitely say though is that my generation had so much more freedom to celebrate their individuality and that without the labels and restrictions and the identity crisis so many are now experiencing. There are reasons why such a high percentage of Gen Y and Gen Z have serious mental issues. Every generation has its THING that the generation before them fails to understand.

And yes, it is sometimes difficult for me to understand what actually happened; don't we have more serious problems? I am convinced that all the censors are doing exactly what they actually want to censor in the first place.

“I learned that very often the most intolerant and narrow-minded people are the ones who congratulate themselves on their tolerance and open-mindedness.” —Christopher Hitchens

It's quite simple - tolerance never grows out of intolerance, but hatred and division do. There is no need for restrictions or new gender regulations, especially not for children. It is up to the parents (not the kindergartens, day-care centres or schools) to teach their children values like helpfulness, empathy, compassion, and REAL tolerance.

“The highest result of education is tolerance.” — Helen Keller

We live in a time that I can only describe as a culture of guilt, in which people try to turn against each other instead of bringing people together.

The crazy thing is that the majority of people completely reject this madness and consider it silly, pointless and even harmful. And yet the labels are to be given for everything in order to further set people against each other and press them into a mould.

A German television programme - STERN TV (an excerpt from the show) - conducted a survey in which 20,000 people took part. The results speak volumes.

The question was very simple:

Are you in favour or against gendering?

In favour: 6.68%

Against: 93.32%

Broken down by gender

Male in favour: 4.12% / Against: 95.87%

Female in favour: 10.94% / Against: 89.05%

Divers in favour: 4.14% / Against: 95.85%

It doesn’t get much clearer than this. And again everything is being done against the will of the people.

I do feel a bit sorry for parents today though. They need to be able to explain not only about birds and bees, but also about bees and bees; about birds and birds; about birds that used to be bees; about bees that used to be birds; about bees that look like birds; about bees that look like birds but still have a stinger; that there are not only colourful birds but also colourful bees.

Make sure you protect your children from all this nonsense and let them just be what they are best at - being children.

“It is essential to employ, trust, and reward those whose perspective, ability, and judgment are radically different from yours. It is also rare, for it requires uncommon humility, tolerance, and wisdom.” — Dee Hock

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🎶My Song of the Day

Is one of my favourites by the great Billy Joel

For more good music, go to this Spotify playlist where you can find all the songs from the Change & Evolve Letters!

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📚My Poem of the Day

Is by Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)

Tolerance

'It is a foolish thing,' said I,
'To bear with such, and pass it by;
Yet so I do, I know not why!'


And at each clash I would surmise
That if I had acted otherwise
I might have saved me many sighs.


But now the only happiness
In looking back that I possess —
Whose lack would leave me comfortless —


Is to remember I refrained
From masteries I might have gained,
And for my tolerance was disdained;


For see, a tomb. And if it were
I had bent and broke, I should not dare
To linger in the shadows there.

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👀Impressions

A photo I found of Yoda - strange way to sleep he liked!

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If you would like to connect with me, find out more about the Enneagram and yourself, and how it can transform you and your life, I would be happy to take the time for a speed coaching call that you can reserve right here go to my website or simply hit reply and get in touch with me directly.

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Wishing you a happy day wherever you are.

Yours

Tanja 🤗