Is Our Perception Based In Reality
Posted: Saturday, December 12, 2009
by Susan Thom
One of the meanings for perception, is understanding. When we perceive things, it is to our understanding. This doesn't necessarily mean our understanding is the truth. It may be our reality, but again, that doesn't always make it the truth. We've all been cut off by another driver on the highway. We get upset, maybe yell a little, swear a lot, and maybe even show the other driver what we think about their untimely move.
We may be riding through town, and see two young boys scuffling, and think it's a fight in our sight! Upon a closer look, we can see them laughing-they had just been horsing around. We may see a homeless person on the sidewalk, and entertain negative thoughts as to why he should receive our hard earned money. We may never know that this man was a top executive in a huge company that went bankrupt with the times.
The man first lost his home, then his family moved in with relatives many states away, his car was repossessed, and he was over qualified for any of the jobs left. He had an overcoat and a blanket to his name. There but for the grace of God, go I."
Five different people can watch the same movie, and all think about it in different ways. A group of people can see the same art hanging on a gallery wall, and see different objects than the others. Two people can drink the same iced tea, and one may think it has too much lemon, and another thinks it's perfect.
My aunt is 95 years old, and some may marvel at such a long life. My aunt, however, may simply be waiting for the good Lord to take her home. Our children may think the punishment for them sneaking out is too harsh, and yet, we as parents, don't think it's enough! Perception is truly in the eye of the beholder. One doctor may think an older person should be able to die in peace, in their own time, and another doctor may think an operation would give them more time.
Unless one knows the reasons for another's actions, they can only go by their own perceptions. Many times, those perceptions, however, are wrong. If perceptions were based in truth, they wouldn't be called perceptions. They would simply be called "the truth." So many think they know the truth, based on their own opinions and belief systems. For some reason, we humans think we know better. We would know better if we understood the meaning of perception.
It is what our minds think and believe to be true. We may think that our neighbors are drug dealers because they have so many people coming in and out of their house. Eventually, they find out that the woman has a degree in reflexology, and runs her business out of her home. Our perception and the truth were two totally different things. Someone with integrity and honesty, will always find out the facts first, and not just the facts that fit them. How often do we talk on the phone or e mail people without ever having seen them?
We have a picture in our mind of what they look like. One day, we meet, and the illusion is shattered. They look nothing like what we thought. Our perception was off. I think perception is a useless state of mind. Unless we know for sure, it may be best for us to simply keep our thoughts to ourselves. We may think a 1000 piece puzzle will take us a week to finish. In the long run, it took 2. Again our perception was off. I think it's very small and insignificant to perceive things we know nothing about.
And why would we want to? Wouldn't we rather have the true facts in any given situation? Once we do, then we can perceive any way we want. Without the truth, we simply spread rumors, lies, and innuendoes. No one's perception of a situation is ever exactly the same. However, if the truth backs us up, we are taking the right path while we're here on Earth.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)What a great article, Susan. Wish we had more people like you in the world. :)Please log in to respond to this comment.hi joyce,thank you for reading and commenting.i do appreciate your kindness,my best regards,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Sue.Very well said and so true.Thanks,DiannePlease log in to respond to this comment.hi dianne,thank you for reading and commenting.i appreciate your comments,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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