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Perception is reality. It’s a phrase we hear often, and it sounds almost cliché at this point, but what does it mean in our lives, and how can we use this notion to move the ball forward in our pursuit of goals and the life we desire?
Perception is the sum of the inputs our senses and mind deliver to us on a given day and instance. We build our perception of the world and our circumstances through an internal lense that is built through our beliefs and experiences. Perception matters, because it is the frame and lense through which we focus our efforts and it provides us energy. That energy can be positive or negative, and can help or hinder our efforts. It’s best to have a positive worldview that is realistic and an understanding of our skills and abilities. We can build our skills and knowledge to boost our confidence and performance, and that directly impacts our perception.
Perception is basically a frame for how we see a given circumstance. Do we see opportunity, or do we see a hopeless situation? Do we see the current day a fertile for dreams to grow, or as a drudgery we need to endure? I know what frame of perception I believe is the best for growth, and I make the choice to see the present as a place to plant seeds for the future and enjoy for what it is currently.
How do we shift our perception? It’s a mindstate, and it requires both mindfulness and an understanding of the bounty of the world at large. If we view the world as a place of malicious predation and stagnation than our perception will lead us to a survival mindstate at best, and a depressed view at worst. If we decide to focus on the world as holding opportunity that requires work and skill to unlock, but that holds promise for development, then we have a perception that can allow us to thrive and grow.
The notion that “perception is reality” is true. We build our own reality, and we react to the world at large through a lense of our own experiences. The information from the world that we receive is interpreted through both conscious and unconscious filters, and our perception of either opportunity or scarcity directly impacts our effectiveness and enjoyment of life. We need to own the notion that our overall enjoyment on Earth is going to be directed and impacted by our perception of the world.
We can change our perception by building skills, gaining experience and making friends with others on our same path. Ask yourself what you have done in the past week to build yourself up? What have you done to help others on their path? A sense of accomplishment will directly impact our perception of reality, and helping others is a sure way to thrive and build our worldview.