~ TOLERANCE ~
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"I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers."
Khalil Gibran
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Two of my biggest character defects are arrogance and fear. I used to have a hard time tolerating people who are not like me. When I was driven by fear, anger, and shame, I believed they threatened my social position. A normal day for me was filled with frustration and anger at people I didn't like. Gossip was my language.
After I decided that I was truly powerless over food and that my life had become really unmanageable, I
surrendered. I started writing the suggested step work and had a great awakening. In the fourth step inventory, I came to the conclusion that I did not like "different people" because I was afraid to be like them. And what were they like? Just like me. I didn't like myself. That was one of the most revealing acknowledgements that were given to me. I have no reason to pick a fight any more, nor discuss or judge any person. When I meet people I do not like, I know why.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
My greatest teachers are those who have shown me what I do not like or accept about myself. I understand that I would never have appreciated these lessons as precious gifts without the understanding, growth and tolerance within the fellowship of Overeaters Anonymous. Today I make a living amend by never judging or disliking any person. Every human being is a creature of God as I understand him, and who am I to judge?