by Merci Gracia | Jul 13, 2018 | Tolerance
The way to nurture excellent relationships is to have healthy boundaries. But we have to choose which issues are important and which are petty objections to inconsequential or harmless behavior. Trying to change others is like a vote of no-confidence – it...
by Merci Gracia | Apr 23, 2018 | Tolerance
Even our precious pets who’ve received countless hours of pure adoration sometimes bite or snap at us. Because of our dedication and unconditional love, we rarely hold it against them. We realize that we must have tripped over a hidden trigger somewhere in their...
by Merci Gracia | Jan 30, 2018 | Judgments, Tolerance
Every person is equal, but we aren’t born with equal ability, intelligence or privilege. What’s obvious to one may not even be noticed by another. Because we can’t know how life feels emotionally, mentally or physically to others, judging them from...
by Merci Gracia | Jun 21, 2017 | Thoughts, Tolerance
If we’re already feeling down, a small misstep by somebody else can loom so large in our minds that we find ourselves activating an avalanche of mental condemnation of them, piling on real or imagined past transgressions and solidifying a negative mental image...
by Merci Gracia | Oct 28, 2016 | Acceptance, Tolerance
We often selectively hear what others say. And when we do hear what they say in its entirety, we often misunderstand the meaning. Because we haven’t traveled the same roads that they have, had the same joys, challenges and heartaches, we simply can’t see...
by Merci Gracia | Apr 7, 2016 | Tolerance
We all like to think of ourselves as informed and thoughtful. That’s why it’s sometimes difficult to accept the legitimacy of others’ beliefs. If we’re right, they can’t be! It’s threatening to think that they not only have the...