I hate to admit it, for fifty years I didn’t know how to listen. And it’s not all about listening to someone speak (admittedly, I do have slight hearing loss), but more importantly I didn’t listen to what they were saying. There are many positive attributes to living a lifestyle that embraces recovery, but the most beneficial one is that we learn to listen. Listening leads to understanding, understanding leads tolerance and then we find ourselves back to listening, That is the circle of humanity.
It wasn't my intent to lose the subscriber. But she doesn't seem to like my message. I found another person's story that perfectly illustrates my point and used it in my post.
It isn't my intent to offend her because she doesn't like the person's politics. I can't help she isn't tolerant of another person's story.
But I am very intentional to call her out, because she needs to know that we learn tolerance by first listening which offers understanding and then repeat. It's how we can strengthen humanity.
Listening is the key to understanding.
If the woman only listened to the man’s story then she would understand what has shaped his views. She wouldn’t have to agree with his views. Afterall she is being shaped by her past.
Listening to another person’s story is so important. And listening isn’t just hearing but it is an intentional act. Through listening we seek to learn the roots of other people’s different perspectives. This allows us to build empathy and connect with them.
We don’t have to agree but through understanding we learn to respect. It’s a skill that is no longer practiced among many of us. For years I had selective hearing, only wanting to listen to what fit my narrative of how life should be lived.
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Understanding is the key to tolerance.
We live in a culture that is intolerant of other people’s views. The problem isn’t that we do not understand, but that we don’t even try to understand. It’s not really difficult to understand if we just take the time to listen, because listening is the key to not just understanding, but tolerance.
Tolerance takes intention. It doesn’t come easy for many people. If fact, it is threatening to people and their pre-conceived ideas. But tolerance is key to a healthy, peaceful humanity.
When we learn to be tolerant we allow ourselves to be open to new ideas. In a diverse society, tolerance is key to preventing conflict and promoting peaceful interactions between people with differing beliefs and backgrounds.
Tolerance is the key to Listening.
There is a lot of media hype. A well-respected news journalist is scheduled to interview a person who very well could be the next President.
I ask my husband, "What time do we tune in?"
"There's no way I will be listening to that interview," My husband responds.
We don’t have to agree. Tolerance does not mean actively agreeing with dissenting beliefs, but rather allowing them to be expressed without undue persecution or discrimination.
Disclaimer: This is not a political post, but a post I appropriate during an election season in my country, the USA.
We live in a country that has a divide on party lines. The problem is that there is a sector of society that chooses to not have an open-mind when it comes to their politics. And my husband isn’t the only one with this problem. As a writer, who chooses to not write about our political views, I have crossed paths with other writers who choose to not listen to another person’s story, simply because they don’t agree with their ideology.
I understand that many people are set in their ways, because their life experiences dictate their politics. This is all the more reason why we need to listen to one another. Using my ears for intention is the best tool I receive in recovery.
When I listen to another person’s testimony in recovery they are sharing how they are shaped and no longer in bondage to their past life. Finally, they are free! It is within the rooms of recovery where I have discovered the people who practice tolerance.
The full circle to promote humanity.
Through developing my relationship with Christ I am learning understanding, listening, and tolerance. There are others who choose to not understand my writing instead consider me a religious zealot. When really all I want to do is offer hope.
It is easier to judge a faith-based writer than choose to listen. Jesus is the embodiment of acceptance. He doesn’t judge the sinner but accepts the sinner, which doesn’t mean he approves the sin. Where others have judged me, Jesus accepts me unconditionally.
By reading the Bible we seek understanding. The word of God preaches tolerance. It’s not our place to judge anyone. But we can offer understanding for the sinner who chooses to make themselves right with God.
My Testimony
Did you know that within someone’s past is where we find the understanding of who they are today? That is why it is important to listen to other people’s stories. Listen up, that’s all I ask shares the first part of my testimony on Substack. Subscribe to hear part two and three.
I am very tolerant of other people’s views when it comes to criticizing religion because I was once them. The Lost, eventually we will get there shares where I came from.
Please remember to take the time to listen and seek understanding. If you have overcome your past and have a story to share get it out there and then other’s will understand you too!
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 ESV
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