Perception

I have heard time and time again that life is based mainly on perception. The perception of people, places and situations. It is quite interesting to sit back and think about how the perception of one varies so much when compared to another's perception. If we are living in a world where perception is the most common place reliance to someone, what happens when we assume that everyone sees reality as we do? What happens when we forget that our perception is not always a shared one? I find myself in this conundrum often as my perception versus others perceptions are often very different.

I attribute this to my shift towards a more positive outlook. I do tend to lean more towards the glass being half full, making the most of situations, and maintaining a level of gratefulness while staying humble. This is my perception of how life should be lived; I do not believe, or condone, a life of being miserable or one that is weighted down with cynicism. Yes, I can be a great cynic at times but I try to again relate it to my perception. Do I have bad days? Yes. Do I sometimes feel like I cannot catch a break? Yes. Do I often wonder if I have made the best life decisions? Yep. Yet, I also know that the things that have torn me down, tried to break me, or discourage me from achieving what my mind is set to were all obstacles that I have overcome. Life is not easy. At least I have never claimed that it is but why spend all of my precious time focusing on the negative? Again, my intention is to take the good with the bad, apply what you can use, leave the negative behind and keep moving forward. I also know that sometimes perceptions change. It is like the dreaded first impression that completely flops. We've all been there: walking into a room full of strangers and tripping, looking a complete mess and inevitably running into someone in the store that you would rather die first than them see you with the messy bun, sweats and stained t-shirt being rocked. You've just put that perception out there for people to run with. I ask myself, once I have a perception of someone, something, or some place - do I allow my perception to be changed over time? I am getting better about it. As I grow and learn I understand that sometimes first impressions or perceptions are not reality; sometimes these perceptions are the farthest thing from reality. Yet sometimes people take that first perception and its final. Are our realities not evolving right before our eyes each day? I know mine changes daily and I am thankful for that because that is a new opportunity to grow, to learn, and to experience new things. I think this also comes with my growing level of tolerance and understanding. Or maybe I accept the change of perception easier now.

Of course my 'glass half full' perception of events, things, situations or even people can be off at times. More times than I would like to admit. I am human and unfortunately (mostly for me) I tend to give the benefit of the doubt to all things. I intend on seeing the good prior to the bad. I cannot imagine having a different outlook than what I do.  I have allowed myself to be open to change, disappointment, and even sadness. Most of these things that I have protected myself from for a very long time because none of those things are in my top ten things to experience bucket list; yet, I understand that these are all part of life and to fully live - sometimes there are let downs that we have to experience. There really is so much to be happy and thankful for and I believe for many a change in their perception could change everything. Then I have to take a step back and wonder - is that just my perception or is it a reality?

Whatever the case, I enjoy living a positive, up-lifting, and humble existence. I hope that you do as well.