The Tricks of Perception

For a few moments, lets imagine that we are all at a barbeque together, enjoying a few snags, burgers, can of fizzy and a salad. We're having a pretty nice day out, and someone suggests a game of backyard cricket=the winning team gets first go at the dessert table!

During the game, in an effort to make a catch you slam into someone else and tumble down hurting your neck, arm, shoulder and hip. Your best mate Jo is cracking up in fits of laughter at the folly, while your nursing your pride and sore bits. Embarressment takes hold and you decide to sit out the remainder of the game. Jo, in the meantime, seems to find the event beyond hilarious and it cements his belief that backyard cricket with his mates is a fun thing to do, while you decide otherwise. The same event, two different perspectives and interpretations.

So what is it about this single moment during a friendly game of cricket that pivots one persons beliefs, and reinforces the other? It all boils down to our perceptions and interpretations of the event in question. It was assigned a meaning that was determined by past experiences, environments both physical and social, and your current beliefs and values. For Jo, it cemented that cricket is a great way to have some fun and bond with his mates, while for you it was a physically painful humiliation you won't live down and will probably refuse to play again.

Let's say a more serious event occurs in your life. At some point, something clicked for you and you assigned it a meaning in your world. It helped to shape your viw of the world around you, and how you interact with it. What if we shifted that perception a little, just for a few moments? Let's pretend now that we see it from an outsiders perception, or from the other people involved.

Our entire existance is dependant on the way we interact with the world, and our perception of it. A person addicted to heroin sees their world in a completely different way than your grandmother does.

The lesson to remember is that your perceptions and interactions are not set in stone-they will alter naturally with your growth and life stages, but you can also shift them willingly if you want to. If you find that the way your currently going about your life isn't working, change your perception. The results you will see in a short time are dramatic and can be a catalyst for greatness!