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.
November Character All Month
See NationalToday, Checkiday and Happy Days 365 for more information on these and other holidays to celebrate this month. 1 Extra Mile Day How will you go above and beyond on #ExtraMileDay? You are an agent of #Change no matter how small the action. #Generosity ...
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a national holiday with a focus on Gratefulness. This Thanksgiving, post a whiteboard, chalkboard, or poster board where those gathered for Thanksgiving can write public statements of what they are grateful for this year. Leave it where anyone can...
World Kindness Day Nov. 13
Create a calendar for the rest of this month all the way to the end of December. Have the family come up with ideas for kindness for every day until the end of the year. You can use the calendar to identify what you should be doing that day, or you can treat...
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