Have you really stopped and thought about what you believe and why you believe it. What we believe can determine how we live and act. For example, during the time of Christopher Columbus people believed that the world was flat like a piece of paper. Columbus was thought of a crazy man for wanting to travel. As a result they did not travel to other countries because they were afraid that they would fall off the Earth. Imagine having a fear like this!

We might shake our heads or laugh at this. However, we should continually look at ourselves and see what we believe and understand our beliefs. We can use what we belief to strengthen us and those around us. Spend some time thinking about any areas that you might not have solid convictions or beliefs in. You can also think about those areas that you know for certain that you do not understand why you believe this. This cannot only apply to religion but to other aspects of our lives. If there are areas you are unsure about, now is the time to seek the answers or clarification.

You can start by doing further reading, either a book or magazine. You can seek the answer by asking someone who might know. This can be someone older or more experienced than yourself. Regardless of how you get the answers or clarity, this is something that should be done to understand what and why you believe this. This can also be used as a time to see if your thinking might be incorrect or incomplete in certain areas. By doing so, we can pass down good values and belief systems to the future generations. We should be able to explain our religious and mental beliefs to our children and to other future generations.

When we think of tolerance, we want it when it is directed towards us, but how tolerant are we of others?  Do we believe the way in which the media has portrayed others such as ethnic minorities  single mothers, or people who are currently out of work. Tolerance should not only be enjoyed when it is extended towards us, but we should show an example ourselves in all areas and extend it towards others.

One area we can examine if we are tolerant of others is in their age. In the pase we used to be a society h that valued people of all ages. For example we had respect of the elders in the community and not just those who were related to us. Now this has changed in some people. Are we tolerant of the older age person and still see them as a valued member of society? Or do you think of them as just people who should be locked away, out of sight because you feel they are past their prime.

Let us look inside and see how tolerant we are in terms of someone’s age. In the same way that we might expect people to tolerate the characteristics about us, we should be like that with others.

On the opposite side of this, how as a society  do we treat and view young people. Do we see them as the future of the nation or just lazy and selfish…causing trouble. This is not a tolerant attitude to have towards the youth. In the same way we can value people within an older age bracket, we should do the same for young people. They might not have the experience of older people, but they can present fresh and innovative ways to looking at a problem. So let’s be mindful of their contribution in all areas.

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When our grandparents or parents were growing up, there was probably nothing known as noise pollution. We have become a society that not only has more gadgets, but more gadgets that make noise. Anyone living in the city knows that they only have to step out of their door to encounter this “noise pollution”.

Have you given any thought to the amount of peaceful and quiet times that we have through the day. It might be those five minutes right before we rise out of bed. It van be the “alone” time while in the shower or while drinking a cup of coffee and quietly reading the newspaper. For some people, the queit time can be the morning drive to work.

Whenever we are able to find this quiet time, we should remember that it is necessary for our brains and our body to process information and slow down. We would all like to think we are invincible but the quiet time is a great way of us rejevenuating us not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It is a great time to listen to what God might be saying to us.

Sometimes while we are going through the busy times we forget that we were not made to continually be working like ants. The best thing we can do for ourselves is find that quiet time. This can so much for our physical and mental health by us stopping and enjoying the beauty of the quiet around that is around us. If you are not somewhere that is quiet, it would be a good idea to find a quiet place to be. This is important because we should be looking for quiet on the outside so we can find quiet on the inside. Today is a great day to start looking for this.

We live in a society and a generation in which people are more concerned about themselves than about others. We may ask someone how they are doing, but for some people they really do not stop to hear the answer or even care when they do hear the answer. It may just be the sake of asking. We are called to be better than this.

The beginning step is to start looking at people not just as objects to listen to what we have to say, but rather as human beings with thoughts, feelings and emotions. We should help carry the burden that the people in our world have. This does not mean that we take on the problems of everyone, but rather that we are more open to what is happening to those in our daily life. For society, it might be acceptable behavior to not really care, but we should be above this.

Start by looking at people. Really looking at them. When you ask how they are doing, wait to hear if they are feeling angry or fearful. If they say they are fine, but it is obvious they might cry any moment, then try to be a good friend to them as far as they will let you. The point is to take the focus off overselves and to put the focus on others.

If at all possible, try to put yourself in their place and imagine how they might be feeling. Even if we are not sure, it might be possible for someone to hide your they are really feeling and the problems they are going through. We should not just look at the outside or the socio-economic background of the person and assume that everything is okay. The reason we have been placed in their world is to be a true friend to them.