What are you tolerating in your life? For quite some time, I’ve been amazed at what the human species is willing to endure. Many parts of the planet are inhospitable at best and yet people live in the coldest cold, or extreme humidity and heat, places that lack good water, food or shelter. On a more personal level, there are spouses who endure abuse, employees who will accept horrible conditions often for little reward. Yes, I realize many don’t have choices or belief they have options. As societies and cultures, it is phenomenal what humans tolerate.
It’s interesting to take a moment and look at what you are tolerating in your own life. Why’s is this important? Because, tolerating the little things can suck the energy right out of you. When your energy is low, you’re less effective and life is less enjoyable. Period.
Looking at what you’re tolerating is the opportunity to focus on the little things in life that matter. It’s not about looking at others and how they should change to suit you. Evaluating what you’re tolerating works if you only look at what you personally have control over changing.
For example, I spend a considerable about of time at my computer every day. I have a chair that I like, but it needs to be at highest extension for me to see my monitor through my bi-focals. (Yes, it sucks!) There must be a leak in the chair, because I will be sitting and working at my computer when swoosh, the chair starts to sink. Then I will have to take the lever arm and lift it back into position. When it started, the seat would lower periodically and so I put up with it. Even though it drove me crazy, I tolerated it. I didn’t want to buy a new chair. I didn’t know how to get it repaired. As time went on, the problem increased until I had to raise the chair as much as 10 times an hour. By then the situation became intolerable. At that point, I had to find a solution. My husband was able to put a pin in it so it can’t lower. I’m thrilled. It’s interesting that every time I sit in the chair, I expect to swoosh.
Take the time to be aware of the little things that are bothering you in your life. What are you putting up with in your life? While you can’t change others, you can change your behavior, your reactions, or your encounters. What things don’t work correctly or can’t be found? If you’re reacting, annoyed, irritated, or stressed, you’re tolerating.
One of the most important aspects about working on tolerations is identifying them. Many times we put up with things that drain our energy without even being aware of the significance it has on our lives. Ending what you’re tolerating doesn’t happen over night, but it’s a place to start to live a happier life.
What are you tolerating right this moment that you can change to improve your life? Fixing a chair may not sound like much, but it was huge in the quality of the time I spend in front of my computer.
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