The onset of spring delivers the promise of new beginnings. It nudges us to reflect and ask how can we live happier, freer, and lighter. And in my experience, achieving a more fulfilling life is about not chasing more but thriving with less. As a minimalist, I definitely partake in this annual spring ritual of cleansing and clearing out. However, my spring cleaning is not restricted to my physical possessions.
The word ‘tolerance’ just crossed my mind today and I could not stop thinking about it. Simply because like many, I think I spend a less than healthy chunk of my life tolerating instead of living. I am referring to the word defined as ‘the act of capacity of enduring’ rather than the other that describes ‘a fair, objective and permissive attitude toward opinions, beliefs and practices that differ from one’s own.’
If I was a Martian and I landed on Earth and picked up a newspaper, I would think I have landed in a place somewhat resembling hell. Terrorist attacks, gun shootings, beheadings, potential collapse of a country’s financial system…the bad news just keep coming. And they keep coming because bad news sells. Let’s be honest about this, many of us derive voyeuristic pleasure from bad news as long as it’s not happening to us or to our loved ones- it makes us feel fortunate and to count our blessings.
