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- Go to Tolerance is Reflective of Strength, Not Weakness
malcolm
Our teachers are numerous and will come to our presence as much as we need them to, in order to learn it fully. I make mistakes daily myself. It is the intention that creates the lasting change, my friend.
posted by
avant-garde
on December 8, 2005 at 2:16 PM
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Flame-thrower
When my comments are very brief, it is because I am typing with one hand, and holding Noah with the other. My apologies.
posted by
avant-garde
on December 8, 2005 at 2:15 PM
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Bright Irish
And thank you so much for reading.
posted by
avant-garde
on December 8, 2005 at 2:14 PM
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jeremy
Intolerance is a sign that I have internalized guilt. What I rant and rail about is not as important as WHY I am doing it. Do we learn the lesson that history teaches? If we try to avoid further mistakes by reacting to what appears threatening, then the answer is decidedly no.
Einstein summed it up succintly when he said you cannot solve a problem using the same thinking that created it.
posted by
avant-garde
on December 8, 2005 at 2:13 PM
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Odysseus
In the context of saying 'no' to another's abusive actions or language, it is a statement of self-worth and protection. However-and this is paramount- when I use my judgments and take the offensive, it is offensive. What makes it even more outrageous is when we give it the label of 'love' or any derivation thereof.
posted by
avant-garde
on December 8, 2005 at 2:10 PM
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sannhet
Yes, you have it. The idea of sacrifice appears to be focused on what one is giving, but it is entrenched in an idea of having. How we do carry on when those whom we sacrifice for react with ingratitude.
posted by
avant-garde
on December 8, 2005 at 2:08 PM
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Lovely words
I do try and live by the 'do unto others' mantra. Sometimes I succeed but often I fail. It soesn't ever stop me trying though.
posted by
malcolm
on December 8, 2005 at 1:56 PM
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Thank you very for leaving your very brief but nice encouraging comments. Cheers.
posted by
Flame-thrower
on December 8, 2005 at 12:31 PM
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avant-garde
Hello.. Thank you again, this morning, for sharing your thoughts.
posted by
BrightIrish
on December 8, 2005 at 8:43 AM
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Avant
this post is hard for me to follow. ussually if I remember it I understand it.
my reactions to your posts are never consistant. thanks, I really want to understand this!
posted by
appleworks7
on December 8, 2005 at 6:30 AM
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I would not look at what one has done in the past
so much as what one is doing presently, as they exist before you in the moment. You see, at the present moment, when you confront something that is wrong, your reaction is paramount. You can be tolerant by looking the other way or you can express some form of protest, even if it is minor. We should disapprove visibly when the alcoholic orders a beer, when the friend lights up a cigarette in our car or home without first asking, when one uses profanity in front of our children, when the pedophile looms out in the street, when the neighbor is bashing his wife, and I could go on and on. Tolerance in such circumstances is simply a lack of courage to stand up for what we know to be right. 
posted by
telemachus
on December 8, 2005 at 6:28 AM
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Avant -
It took me a while, but I like the statement: Sacrifice is self-glorification. At first, I wasn't sure that was true. I thought of Mother Teresa and her sacrificing. But upon reflection, she didn't really sacrifice. She lived the life she chose, one that put love into action. That's not sacrifice, that's choice.
posted by
sannhet
on December 8, 2005 at 6:16 AM
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Rcky
Thank you so much for reading.
posted by
avant-garde
on December 8, 2005 at 5:12 AM
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Trevor
I feel we must be honest with ourselves if we truly want a change.
posted by
avant-garde
on December 8, 2005 at 5:12 AM
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Avant...
Well said.Thank you.
posted by
RckyMtnActivist
on December 8, 2005 at 4:55 AM
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yep
I wholeheartedly agree. I'm glad you have the courage to say it!
posted by
Trevor_Cunnington
on December 8, 2005 at 4:46 AM
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Trevor
Yes, I believe there was rumors of syphilis as well. At any rate, he was diseased of both mind and body, an enfeebled soul whose lust for power came through a campaign of subjugation.
We so easily ascribe the term evil to something which outwardly makes no sense. But, the truth is that we see a little of ourselves in everyone, especially those whom we castigate the most. Hitler would not have been successful at all, were his rhetoric not bought into by a nation.
We cannot lay blame on what happened in WWII solely on Hitler. He had the willing compliance of thousands. Only after the death pits began to overflow with rancid juice did the world stand and take notice.
posted by
avant-garde
on December 8, 2005 at 4:30 AM
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hmmm
I thought Hitler had Syphilis? I saw some history documentary about how in the last years of the war, he had holed himself up in a house in the hills, and he only met with his commanding officers. He would ramble on and on like a madman (in its advanced stages, Syphilis causes dementia or insanity) and his officers would act based on their interpretations of his garbled ravings. It's an interesting possibility.
posted by
Trevor_Cunnington
on December 8, 2005 at 4:18 AM
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Flame-thrower
Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Have a great day.
posted by
avant-garde
on December 8, 2005 at 4:05 AM
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Your post was a master piece that required that any reads it through and through to get the message. Congratulations and thank God for having given you the interligence to write what you have written today. Cheers
posted by
Flame-thrower
on December 8, 2005 at 3:46 AM
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