And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭39‬

Recovery has taught me tolerance more than any Sunday school lesson ever dreamed.

That’s not because of any fault in the lessons, but of the deep-seated faults in the learner.

As it is, my true transformation from callousness to what sometimes passes for understanding came after the torture of getting sober.

My recommendation is to learn these lessons like normal folks do: simply listen to the teachings of and life lessons from those who have gone before you.

Addiction isn’t some sort of twisted requirement to achieve higher levels of tolerance, patience and understanding. No, this is spiritual special ed.

It’s simply good news that for those of us taking the short bus through our lives, there is a way to graduate into the realm of the living.

We can learn to love with selfless hearts. We can learn to listen sincerely. We can learn to be tolerant of those who have been even less fortunate than us.

The idea of justice can do a real number on us. It can harden our hearts toward communion with our fellows. And it can blind us to our own brokenness.

As we begin to practice love and tolerance, we will make steps toward forgiveness, friendship and a new way of living that is both simple and fantastic.

God, help me remain tolerant of others and insistent of myself.