In my own words: Allowance for difference and forbearance from cruelty

Tolerance is our ability to let others live differently than ourselves without judgement.  It is our ability to truly coexist with people who have different thoughts, beliefs, opinions than our own, without attempting to sway them to our own thoughts, beliefs, or opinions.  Tolerance is our ability to control negative reactions against someone with whom we disagree, or something which appears unfair to us from our perspective. 

Merriam-Webster.com:

tol·​er·​ance | \ ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s  , ˈtäl-rən(t)s \

1.      capacity to endure pain or hardship : ENDURANCE, FORTITUDE, STAMINA

2.      a: sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own

b: the act of allowing something : TOLERATION

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tolerance

The Symbol:

The double spiral symolizes the balance of the duality present throughout and within the life-death-rebirth cycle, representing opposing forces like light and dark or day and night. Its origins trace back to Neolithic and Megalithic European stone carvings, most famously seen in ancient Celtic and pre-Celtic art over 5,000 years ago. 

In my own words: Gaining the perspective of another being.

Understanding is taking time and exerting honest effort to learn.  We have our personal experience and input that have formed our opinions or conclusions as to what we regard as fact.  Simultaneously other human beings with different experiences and inputs have come to conclusions as to what is factual or undeniable truths that do not align to yours. Conflict arises when the two parties exert effort into trying to change the opinion of the other.  If we spent the same amount of energy simply listening and imagining ourselves in the same experiences as the other, then what a long way that would go to understanding how they arrived at a different conclusion than yours.  Ultimately – you may not convince the other that your version is correct.  But understanding enables tolerance.

 Merriam-Webster.com:

Understanding noun

un·​der·​stand·​ing | \ ˌən-dər-ˈstan-diŋg

Definition of understanding

1.  a mental grasp : COMPREHENSION

2.   

a.  the power of comprehending especially : the capacity to apprehend general relations of particular

b.  the power to make experience intelligible by applying concepts and categories

3.   

a.  a mutual agreement not formally entered into but in some degree binding on each side

b.  friendly or harmonious relationship

c.   an agreement of opinion or feeling : adjustment of differences

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understanding

The Symbol:

The "shaman's eye" (also known as the Medicine Man symbol) originates from Native American traditions, representing spiritual vision, healing powers, and the connection between the physical universe and the spirit world.

Center Circle: Represents the inner eye, insight, and the spiritual vision of the shaman.

Inner Lines: Symbolize travel or connection into the unseen Spirit World.

Outer Lines: Represent the physical world and the four cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) of the universe.

In my own words: Release of grievance.

Forgiveness is often quite difficult because we perceive this as acceptance or concurrence that something we believe to be wrong is actually not.  But forgiveness is not an act of condoning bad actions, it is simply a release of hanging onto the feeling of having been wronged.  Forgiveness is one of the most freeing acts of self-love that a human being can embrace.  When we hold onto grievances, all we do is resurrect the bad feelings that whatever requires the forgiveness originally caused.  By forgiving, you are freeing yourself to move past the hurt into love.  

Merriam-Webster.com:

Forgiveness

forgiveness noun

for·​give·​ness | \ fər-ˈgiv-nəs  , fȯr- \

Definition of forgiveness

: the act of forgiving

I ask for your forgiveness.

forgive verb

for·​give | \ fər-ˈgiv  , fȯr- \

forgave\ fər-​ˈgāv  , fȯr-​ \; forgiven\ fər-​ˈgi-​vən  , fȯr-​ \; forgiving

Definition of forgive

transitive verb

1.  to cease to feel resentment against (an offender) : PARDON

forgive one's enemies

2.  a: to give up resentment of or claim to requital (see REQUITAL sense 1) for

forgive an insult

b: to grant relief from payment of

forgive a debt

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgive

The Symbol:

Mpatapo is a well-known Adinkra symbol from West Africa, originating with the Asante people of modern-day Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. Literally translating to "pacification knot" or "knot of reconciliation," it represents peacemaking, forgiveness, and the binding of disputing parties back into a harmonious relationship. 

The symbol is a knot that has no discernible starting or ending point. This continuous, interwoven loop signifies: 

• Conflict Resolution: The complex, often overlapping nature of disputes that must be carefully untangled and woven back together for healing to happen.

• Reconciliation: The unbreakable bond that ties two opposing parties together once peace is made.

In Asante culture, visual symbols were heavily relied upon to communicate complex philosophies about community life, responsibility, and social relationships. Mpatapo reflects the belief that while disagreements are a natural part of human society, a strong and healthy community must have mechanisms in place to restore understanding and harmony.