To me, tolerance is a way of "putting up" with something that bothers you. Like tolerating a fellow employee that grates on your nerves. Just because we don't like someone or something, doesn't mean we need to show that dislike, we can just tolerate it and not let it get to the core of our dislike.

Understanding to me means acceptance more than anything else. We can't always understand what someone is feeling if we have not lived their life or experienced all that person has experienced, but we can accept what someone is feeling and have empathy towards those feelings.

Respect, that is something that there is far too little of in this world. Respect for others beliefs, for their thoughts whether we happen to disagree with them or not. Everyone has the right to their own thoughts. We don't have to like them or even understand them, but as human beings, we should be respectful towards everyone.

Of course....this would be a perfect world, or damn close to it if we all had more tolerance, understanding and respect now wouldn't it?

Hugsssssss
J