
Can we tolerate our close family?
Tolerance starts at Home.
If we truly believe we are all from the same divine source, than it makes sense to look at everybody else around as a divine extension of the same energy.
The war refugees are the same as our moronic siblings.
But I feel that way too many people right now are just focused on the world at large.
Perhaps there is a need to “feel good about ourselves”; if we think and act in a certain way towards those who struggle and whom will never get to meet, than we get extra points with “the bearded guy up there”.
I’ve always been adamant that our home can really be the best breeding ground for compassion and tolerance.
It’s there that we usually have to resort to for good will and understanding to keep the status quo with people who can often be very different from us.
How may times our spouses just look like aliens from other galaxies? Not to mention kids and their peculiar dynamics! And what about irritating in laws and tiresome siblings?
They are just like those people spread around the world who are often in need of support.
I believe that we humans all come from the same formless energy, regardless of the life we get to live.
We truly are in our element when we experience joy, ease and well being.
But we all have different paths, and often that wellness is bartered away for some obscure reason.
So my tolerance towards a world that is often unpredictable, angry and possibly very greedy, will not change it.
At least not in the immediate future.
But I can start with those close to me.
I can hold my hand out to my extremely annoying sister (she is!) and hold space for her while she still acts like an hormonal teenager, aware of the fact that her choices will never scratch her true essence.
I walk along next to my husband while conscious of how different we are.
Despite being tempted from time to time to shout out loud “Hey you, my way is better than yours!” I embrace so much richness and variety.
And in our difference I see our similarities because we come from the same Home.
Most of all, I hold sacred space for Myself.
For all the times I could have done better, but I didn’t.
For all the times I lose my way and Home just looks like a tiny rock in the ocean.
But then I realise that I never went anywhere and Home is where I have been all along.

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I love this. Tolerance is an underrated yet vital way to live.
Blessings Fancy! The idea of the blog came to me after the recent events here in London and the UK…I thought it may be a bit risky to write but I believe it’s important to draw people’s attention back to basic truths rather than projecting ourselves onto the wide world. What can we do right now to support the one next to us? What can we do right now to support ourselves? Then we care how to save the rest of the world! Much Grace from My heart to Yours x
I’ve always been somewhat uncomfortable with the word “tolerance” It seems to unintentionally imply some sort of superiority of those doing the “tolerating.” Love this post though, and agree with every word.
Thanks so much Jeremy! Somehow I sense that all these BIG words have been imposed on us! And you are very right in saying that they can hide loads of ego! Much love from My heart to Yours x
Great post Antonia; it seems the world is saying tolerance, but politicos spin it yet avoid dealing with it or drive in wedges that cause polarisation. Here it is obvious in terms of Brexit, two political parties that are very left of very right, North of the border there is another trying to separate the UK. Working together? doesn’t seem like it to me apart from verbal soundbites. I wish someone would knock their blasted heads together and say sort it and start accepting just because you are on the other side doesn’t mean everything you say is tosh! Then again are far right and far left that different in psyche… bully material maybe; I’m right you are wrong, disagree and I will shout at you, maybe drop some spittle and keep on until you agree or back down. Bah humbugs. See what you post has caused me to rant about!!! I’m with you here!
Thank you so much Gary! You probably voice most people’s feelings about the world right now! Whether it’s here in the UK or some place else, it’s a very unique time in our evolution. There is so much to be said yet too many people are just making noise. So I wonder if silence could help…maybe lowering the tone of the media? I just got to a point now when the whole picture out there is way too big for my little heart and mind…so I focus on what’s right next to me! Hence I wrote this post! If you asked me, I really don’t know how things will evolve and I have yet to see a leader strong enough to gain my respect and trust…anywhere out there! People like you and I have the precious responsibility to soothe the wounded souls and offer a smile to the world through our writing! Much Love from My heart to Yours x
Hi Antonia,
I just returned from a vacation with my family and your words ring true. My sister and I are both in our forties but the patterns of the past persist. I felt more anxiety about the family dynamics on our ten days of togetherness than the inherent dangers of flying in a tiny plane over glaciers! But, as you point out, holding space for the people we love to be themselves without judgments can make all the difference. I am the black sheep of my very religious family. It can be difficult at times for all of us when the conversations turns to politics or religion. But it doesn’t have to be. Respect for different points of view takes effort, particularly when there is an expectation of like-mindedness. But it is possible, and this trip with my family proved it. We can love without needing to agree. Thanks for the post.
Blessings Angela! I’m glad you had a lovely time with your family! Whenever I remember that we are just passing through this life time, problems stop being a drama and it’s easier to really see how we are in the same boat. We really are. All of us! My tears are your tears, my laughter the laughter of the world! But we very innocently get caught up in our mental patterns and lose sight of what we really are and how life is such a short & quick ride…no time to lose! Much Joy from My heart to Yours xxx