Perceptions – How they shape our lives?

It had been a while since I last updated my blog and I had a little reflection today that motivated me to blog about it.

Our minds perceive things through our senses... what we see… what we hear… what we smell… what we taste…. and most of all, what we feel… The impact of the data being processed in our minds will form perceptions. Hence, when our perceptions are impaired by obstructions or lack of information, prejudice, speculations, etc… we often find ourselves in unsure or compromised positions. This stimulates our emotions and character within ourselves. Be it insecurity, jealousy, anger, resentment, self-pity, arrogance, conceitedness, complacency, stubbornness, etc; these responses are stimulated by the way we perceives things.

If our perceptions are not corrected, our responses will trigger thoughts… thoughts trigger actions.. actions trigger habits… habits become character… and character becomes destiny…This explains why some people are what they are.

It is true that when different people look out of a same window, they see different things. What each individual sees depends on what he/she chooses to set his/her focus on… and nobody can say that his/her vision is correct and others are wrong. When we feel that the other’s vision is “wrong”, it is only because it differs from our very own perceptions. It doesn’t necessarily mean their vision is wrong. And especially when it conflicts with our perceptions and when one starts to justify their perception/actions, then an adverse breakdown in relationships may soon occur.

So how much do we understand about “our perceptions”? Do we bother to evaluate or understand the way our perceptions in a situation are formed? Do we respond to our perceptions appropriately? And more importantly, do we avoid being a victim of our very own perceptions? I’m sure many of you have heard about the story about the child that was afraid of his own shadow. But how ready are you in stepping out of your own shadows?

While, I’m no expert in this area, I do have blessings of the things that I went through in life to help me manage my perceptions. I do it in 3 simple steps:-
- Identify and understand what type of perception that you are experiencing?
- Ask, “What are these perceptions transforming you into? Is that really what you want to be?”
- Recognize what you want to be and correct your perceptions to facilitate that.

I will try to elaborate more on these 3 simple steps in my next blog posting. But for now, try taking a second look at the way you perceive things or try challenging your own perceptions. I’m certain that if you do, you will find that perception can be changed, moderated or compromised. Changing to a “healthy perception” will eventually change the way you live your life.

Cheers.