Differences make us unique
In the late 14th century, an unfamiliar word popped up in Middle English.
The word was tolerance. They derived it from the Latin term tolerantia meaning patience, fortitude and the ability to bear adversity. You may well wonder why it came into usage until you realize that 14th century England experienced the Black Death, the Great Famine and a Peasants’ Revolt. That’s quite the trifecta, and in the context, it is no wonder that tolerance became a necessary quality of survival.
I’ve been reflecting recently that tolerance and acceptance are sometimes rare commodities in our highly charged and polarized society. Even more importantly, I’ve been observing that acceptance in fact transcends tolerance. When we accept, we embrace. That needs to change, and we can make that happen!
Our approach to acceptance at Walden - Everyone is welcome here.
The commitment is not just a pretty sign we hang on our doors and in our classrooms. It’s a daily reminder that we must always respect and show support to all students, staff and their families. We teach our students and remind ourselves that we acknowledge each other's differences, and acknowledge the humanity of someone raised to think differently from us.
That we do not agree to disagree but accept that differences exist, which is what makes us all unique.
Goodness motivates our thoughts and our actions.
Our job is not to change minds, but to open them.
However, to acknowledge differences means we must bring an open mind to our conversations and learning. I’ll share more about this in an upcoming blog post. For now, let’s consider what an open mind brings to learning. It allows you to:
Gain insight. Challenging your existing beliefs and considering new ideas can give you fresh insights into the world and also teach you new things about yourself.
Have new experiences. Being open to other ideas can also open you up to trying new things.
Achieve personal growth. Keeping an open mind can help you grow as a person. You learn new things about the world and the people around you.
Become mentally strong. Staying open to new ideas and experiences can help you become a stronger, more vibrant person. Your experiences and knowledge continue to build on one another.
Feel more optimistic. One problem with staying closed-minded is that it often leads to a greater sense of negativity. Being open can help inspire a more optimistic attitude toward life and the future.
Learn new things. It’s hard to keep learning when you surround yourself with the same old ideas. Pushing your boundaries and reaching out to people with different perspectives and experiences can help keep your mind fresh.*
I recently shared to LinkedIn a video prepared by International Baccalaureate. Real change begins when we choose hope. By believing that we have the power to make an impact, we take the first step on the journey to changing our world. The choice is yours.
Where do we go from here? We believe that an open mind leads to acceptance, which creates hope. And that’s the key to our mission to make good people who will make a better world.