I am patient with others and accepting of their differences.

I am patient with others and accepting of their differences.

I am glad that no one is exactly like me. I like being unique! The differences between me and everyone else bring beauty and excitement to my experiences, just as the different colors in the world bring brilliance to my life.

How boring life would be if we were all the same! Each person I meet brings a feature to my life that is different from anyone else.

I realize that each person is a product of his or her unique experiences. Our various perspectives of the events in life shape our thoughts, actions, and personality.

I have patience for others because I realize that they cannot possibly know exactly what I know. They have different experiences, learn different things, and react uniquely to the same situations.

If it seems that others do not understand me, I accept it, because I am unique! Others can sympathize with me and know what I am going through, but they cannot feel exactly the same.

For these reasons, I strive to strengthen my communication skills so we can better understand each other. I try to step back from my perspective and see their unique view of things, too.

I acknowledge that the familiar saying, “You cannot truly understand someone until you walk a mile in their shoes,” is true and I keep that in mind when communicating with others.

Today, I strive to feel a greater understanding of the true differences between others and me and I appreciate the way those differences bring a greater richness to my life.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I get angry when someone doesn’t agree with me?
2. Have I ever felt frustrated when someone didn’t understand my feelings?
3. What can I do to help bridge the gap between others and me?