Acceptance In the Community
(Formerly Tolerance)
vs. prejudice
Demonstrating respect for others who do not share my perspective
To practice Acceptance, I will: 
- expect the same of myself as others
- see things from the perspective of others
- listen before forming an opinion
- learn to value differences
- help myself, and others, grow
Building Bridges
by Mary Andres Russell
Do you have someone in your life that you disagree with? You don’t share their opinions or they trigger you in some way? Of course, we all do. Acceptance is the quality that helps us build bridges. While we will not agree with every other persons’ opinions or behavior, we can work through our differences by showing courtesy, civility, and respect.
Many times, when someone gets under our skin, there is something we can learn from them or through the situation. Maybe we make similar mistakes (such as jumping to conclusions) and don’t see it. Maybe that person is strong in some character quality (such as boldness or persuasiveness) that is a weakness for us.
This month, when someone triggers you, take the time to consider their strengths and weaknesses and how they mirror your own. You may see that person and the situation in a whole new light. Ultimately, we can’t change other people. We can only change ourselves.
We can also create a safe place in our workplace and homes for open dialogue. How? By sharing facts, by listening to others’ side of the story, by sincerely trying to understand their motives, by establishing common goals, and by looking for the best in others.
The Links below will take you to Resources you can use with the family or within community organizations
to teach the Character Quality of Acceptance.
The following activities are related to dates this month and can relate to any character quality or good character in general.
December Character All Month
See NationalToday, AndTodayIs, NationalDayCalendar or DaysOfTheYear for more information on these and other holidays to celebrate this month. Date in 2023 Holiday How to Commemorate with Character 1 Rosa Parks Day "One person can change the world." -Rosa Parks. What...
Make a Gift Day – Dec. 3
Whatever holiday or birthday traditions you follow, take some time today to think about a homemade gift for someone. Who would appreciate it? The act of making a gift is so much more personal than having Amazon thunk something on your porch. You don’t have to be an...
World Candle Lighting Day
The second Sunday in December is Worldwide Candle Lighting Day, that is a memorial activity to honor those children who are no longer with us. Candles are lit at 7 pm local time and left to burn for an hour. This will create a 24-hour wave across the world of lit...
Our other Pillars have resources that can be used in a community or family setting.
Visit Acceptance in School>>
Activities
No Matter How You Say It
Curriculum Connections
Croskey’s Corner
Visit Acceptance in Business>>
Teambuilding
Power Up with Character
Interview Questions
Adult Business Books
Visit Acceptance in Faith>>
Christian Family Activity
Bible Verses
Christian Poster
Prayer and Reflections
Archived Resources