Week 4 Day 3: Perception is Reality

“Everything you see or hear or experience in any way at all is specific to you. You create a universe by perceiving it, so everything in the universe you perceive is specific to you.” – Douglas Adams

Our perceptions of life are based on our attitudes. Once we have established an attitude, we then perceive life in a particular fashion based on what we have learned and experienced.

Here is a very broad example: Let's say there is a toddler learning how to walk. Every time this toddler falls down his parents rush to his side in horror, the toddler cries in response and continues to do so every time he falls down. This toddler will then grow up thinking that every time he falls he should be scared. His attitude is fear and his perception is that obstacles are hard to overcome. Now on the other hand there is a toddler whose parents acknowledge the toddler when he has fallen and seeing that he is not hurt , they encourage him and cheer him on to just get right on back up and try again. This toddler will grow up with the attitude of fearlessness. He will not see obstacles as things in his way, instead he will perceive obstacles as opportunities and chances for learning and growth.

We adopt many attitudes throughout our lives and throughout our days; as our attitudes change so do our perceptions. Having a good perception (outlook ) on life is merely having a good attitude, which means you are thinking positive, you are aware of what you are thinking, you are accepting of you who are, willing to move forward and enjoying each moment in life. It is all connected. Whether you are able to change your attitude or your perception first doesn't really matter. Because once you change your perception, you will change your attitude!

The key is understanding life is really amazing. Each moment is truly a gift. Even when things get hard you can find joy. The simple things in life are what make it all worthwhile. Like the moments where my son is smiling at me and says, "thank you mommy," in his sweet little high pitched voice. The sunshine warm on my face on my way to the car. The birds chirping in the morning. A simple hello, a warm hug, a sweet kiss. Each moment in life is beautiful in all its splendor.

Start to notice your perception. What do you see when you look out into the great big world? Do you see millions of opportunities and experiences to be had or do you see gloom and doom? Whatever you perceive is what you will experience, so make sure you know what you want and go for it! Create the life you want! In every moment we have a choice. We can choose to be positive or not, so know that if in one moment you don't have a good perception, you can always change it in the next! Something that in one moment looked old, could in the next look new if you change your perception. We always have the choice to look at every moment with fresh eyes, see things like it is the first time, with the enthusiasm of a child. When we take a moment to perceive the tiny details in life, it is impossible to ignore its magnificent.