Perception

Perception is reality….it is YOUR reality. When we perceive something as being a certain way, to us it is that way for everyone. What we have to remember is that it is our reality, not reality. That saying “perception is reality” is not true at all, it needs to be modified to “perception is the perceiver’s reality”.

Many times we have an idea about how things “are” or how they “should be”. Sometimes we are looking for something. When we have those preconceived ideas or ways of dealing with the world, we constantly fool ourselves.

People who are prejudicial are a prime example. They believe that all people of a certain race, creed, or sexual preference, are all the same (and usually in a negative way). When they look at people in their “prejudicial” group they automatically “see” those things that upset them, even though they may not be there at all.They fear those people or situations in some way, and that is why we get a negative reaction.

We cannot apply terms like “all”, “always” and “never” to people. It just doesn’t work. People are a product of their environment, and that is most profoundly effective before the age of 6 years. That is when we learn how we are going to be. Are we trusting, analytical, open, disbelieving? All of those things are shaped by our environment and our ability to learn and perceive the world.

When people are not taught to have  an open mind, to research, and to not jump to conclusions, they make many mistakes in life. They miss opportunities, friends, even happiness that they would have found in things that were different, unusual, or even a bit scary.

There are people who see signs in everything, people who hear “ghosts” in every creak, and who see issues with people that are really their own issues. When you see a person who uses the same language or terms when talking about others they do not like, you will know what they person persieves themselves as (or fears others will see). People who take , take , take, call others “thieves”; people who decieve and trick, call others “liars”; people who are afraid of their masculinity call others “homos” , or some other similar derogatory term. When you hear the same terms coming out of a person’s mouth over and over, you will know exactly what that person is, or believes themselves to be…and perception is reality, right?

Be careful of not jumping to conclusions, as the old saying goes, when you “assume”, you make an ASS out of U and ME.

DO unto others!!
DO the RIGHT things for the RIGHT reasons

Peshaui Wequashimese

(C) 2013 Dr R M Wolf, may not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission