One of things that social media has dramatically ignited in the modern world is that we now often prioritize perfection and immediate results.
So much so that these days, if you are able to embrace tolerance towards the shortcomings of others, it might be seen as a beacon of hope for out society.
When all we focus on about a person is his or her mistakes, it can easily blind us from the potential that each individual being observed has.
This means that if we are able to learn to accept the imperfection of others or other things, then we can create an environment where growth can flourish and true potential can be realized.
Tolerance can often be deemed as just passive acceptance. But it is not. Being tolerant means actively fostering development and nurturing of the human spirit.
For example, we often admire the work of world-renowned artists. But when we take a look at the work they produced when they were young, we often find that their early work were flawed. If they had a weak mentality and exposed to harsh criticism, it could have stifled their creativity and lead them to abandon their passion. And the world would not be able to witness the masterpieces they produced at a later stage of their careers when their talents matured.
Budding talents need to be given the space to experiment, to fail, and ultimately to grow. This tolerance cultivates a safe foundational environment for creativity to thrive. Remember that the most established artists all started somewhere.
This simple principle of tolerance extends beyond art and spills into everyday life. In our interactions at home, work, or within communities, we always encounter individuals who make mistakes one way or another. Sometimes they are critical mistakes. Sometimes negligible.
No matter the magnitude, instead of viewing these missteps as definitive character flaws, adopting a compassionate perspective can help you realize that everyone is a work in progress. We all carry our own burdens. The sooner we come to terms with that, the sooner we develop deeper understandings and connections.
Tolerance enables individuals to explore their capabilities without fear of judgment. It encourages honesty and vulnerability. It also enables authentic self-expression. Conversely, too much focus on mistakes can lead to defensiveness and stifle the potential of others. This is often why most talented people never fulfil their potentials.
Because when individuals are scrutinized for their flaws, many might retreat into themselves as they have yet to realize that their talents has real value. Real value that the market would pay for. They end up questioning themselves and halt their own growth. Instead of casting shadows on shortcomings, let possibilities illuminate.
This philosophy also applies to self-perception.
We are often our harshest critics. Don’t nurture the bad habit of dwelling on missteps while overlooking achievements. An internal dialogue filled with self-doubt can drown out your potential before you have a chance to develop and showcase it.
Embracing our imperfections fosters a culture that values growth over perfection. This shift allows us to pursue our goals with bold confidence rather than fear.
Reflect on your reactions when faced with the shortcomings of others. And when you catch yourself doing it, replace judgment with curiosity and compassion.
Stop asking “What went wrong?”. Start asking “What can we learn?”.