Tolerance with Boundaries (Weekly Recovery Reflection)
True tolerance honors others without abandoning yourself.
Quote
“Tolerance doesn’t mean I let you walk on me. It means I respect your humanity while standing firmly in my own.” — Anonymous
My Thoughts
Sometimes in recovery, tolerance gets misunderstood. We may think it means putting up with bad behavior, staying quiet when something feels wrong, or letting others cross lines just to avoid conflict. But real tolerance isn’t passive — it’s grounded. It allows me to hold space for people to be who they are, while also protecting my energy and dignity.
Spiritual tolerance is not self-erasure. It’s a conscious act of balance: I can say, “I don’t need to fix or control you, but I also won’t let you harm me.” This is where tolerance and boundaries meet — compassion without compliance, respect without surrender. When I practice tolerance with boundaries, I walk in both freedom and safety.
Action for the Week
Notice one area of your life where tolerance may have slipped into self-abandonment. Ask yourself: Am I calling this tolerance when it’s really avoidance? Journal on the question: “How can I honor this person’s humanity while also protecting my own boundaries?” Write down one clear boundary statement you can practice this week — even if you only speak it silently to yourself at first.