It's all About Perception
As I am trying out my new look on the blog, (the black hat you see to the right, which I honor and love), the entire subject of perception came to mind. Sometimes things are not the way they exist in reality, but truly the way we see them as they are. Can our own perceptions be so off that we are deluded into believing that something is true or exists when in fact there is little bases for it in reality?
I bring this issue up to make a point. People, places and/or things are rarely what we think they are when measured against reality. When I was in Miami recently, I was awe-struck how some men and women, during their daily walks along the boardwalk, were taking bags of cat food along to help feed the animals so that those stranded alone would not go hungary. As an early riser, and out before the sun comes up, how quick might I be to conclude that someone was out and about at that early hour to harm or do damage to another person? (my usual fearful thinking.)
Here is the question of the day: Do you think that the way we perceive someone or something has to do with how that person, place or thing really is? Do we usually react with fear, suspicious, and mistrust, and get something entirely wrong, because of our own issues, or do we experience life, as it truly is when in session?
Now, I must get to work. Have a good day, everyone!
Thank you for your minds.
I bring this issue up to make a point. People, places and/or things are rarely what we think they are when measured against reality. When I was in Miami recently, I was awe-struck how some men and women, during their daily walks along the boardwalk, were taking bags of cat food along to help feed the animals so that those stranded alone would not go hungary. As an early riser, and out before the sun comes up, how quick might I be to conclude that someone was out and about at that early hour to harm or do damage to another person? (my usual fearful thinking.)
Here is the question of the day: Do you think that the way we perceive someone or something has to do with how that person, place or thing really is? Do we usually react with fear, suspicious, and mistrust, and get something entirely wrong, because of our own issues, or do we experience life, as it truly is when in session?
Now, I must get to work. Have a good day, everyone!
Thank you for your minds.
16 Comments:
ROTFL..
I am going to take your comment as a great, welcome and much appreciated compliment, NJ. Indeed, as you seek to 'normalize Jews' perhaps I can seek to change the meaning of the shtremiel. It really is a beautiful article of adornment, and should be given much honor and respect.
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for your great questions. Here are 5 from me:
1.) If you were stranded on an island indefinitely and could have 1 person (NOT your husband or children) with you, who would you pick and why?
2.) What are your 3 favorite things about Judaism/being Jewish?
3.) You're back on that blasted island. You can have 5 books with you. What will they be?
4.) What was the happiest day of your life, EXCLUDING your wedding day and the births of your children?
5.) Name 5 things that you like/admire about George W. Bush -- and good luck! (Forgive me...)
We are trained by our families and societies to fear something/one. I was taught to be terrified of black men because every single one of them wanted to rape me. TV, my kin, friends, the white community I grew up in all taught me this. Then I realized it was bullshit. But sometimes I'm still afraid when I walk down the street at night.
A great book on this is called The Culture of Fear: Why Americans are Afraid of the Wrong Things: Crime, Drugs, Minorities, Teen Moms, Killer Kids, Mutant Microbes, Plane Crashes, Road Rage, & So Much More by Barry Glassner
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Actually, I think that we do have a certain reaction to images, whether we like it or not.
For example, I will use the symbol that was on my blog v. the one on the blog now. The golden retreiver pez gave the impression of a fun, exciting and slightly adventurous person. If I had posted a sensual picture, people, especially men, would have made certain assumptions about me, and how I behave and like. Now that I have this pious hat, which has all kinds of symbols and appears to be stark in nature, some may take pause, before posting.
But the truth be known, I am the same BFC, with a face-lift!
Barbara, great question but I think I may need to ponder on it for a bit, since my mind is so confused the majority of the time. (smiling) Will be back at you!
If you do not mind me asking you, where do people find the little pictures they select...like your cute precious hat? I am a hat collector...not that I wanted one for me...but I notice those icons everyway...of every sort. Curious!
P.S. I added you to my blog roll I surely hope you did not mind! Let me know if not...please.
Susie,
Welcome to my blog, and thank you for your kind words about the hat I have posted.
This is a very unique hat, but indeed a work of art, and has special meaning to me. The image was sent to me by someone who knows that I appreciate its warmth and special meaning.
Everyone on this blog can tell you that I am as lame as it comes to posting pictures. As you can see, this is the only visual on my blog.
I am happy you like the hat so much.
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here's how people usually percieve me...
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i can't say that my "perceptions" about people are from how i was brought up -- they seem to be my own doing. if i've had somewhat bad experiences with a certain "group", i have realized that i want to stay away. i used to "wrestle" those feelings. sometimes i think it could just be intuition (but maybe intuition is just learning from past experiences?).
I think the way we percieve things has to do with who we really are. I think we react to things based on our previous experiences, and cannot possibly know who or what something is until we interact with it. If you are truly a person of knowledge, your perception is constantly changing because you are constantly changing. Every experience is entirely unique and if we can accept that, we can approach life without bias and prejudice and try to be at peace with the way the world is.
Here are your questions:
1) What does it mean to you to be Jewish?
2) What lesson do you wish you hadn't learned the hard way?
3) If you could teach a class, what would the curriculum be?
4) What was the most surprisingly joyful moment of your life?
5) How are you most like your mother?
Hello Barb-
I once heard a quote that I love. It is: We do not see things as they are, we see things as WE are.
I think this is true. We all live in our own reality. Some of us are open to new ideas and the idea of truth, but some people are very closed minded and they live thier whole lives in a sort of bubble of fantasy. Stories they make up in their head. These people more often than not, never see much of the world, and never mingle with people of other races, creeds, and religions. I feel sorry for these people.
I like to think I am a student of the world, every day learning and experiencing.
I will admit that I usually have a fearful/negative perception of what is going on in the world.
I love your post Barb!
xoxo
jen
The most interesting thing I've ever seen on TV was done by the PBS in the L.A. area (in the 60's). The show was the SAME weekend shown over and over again, but each time from a different family member's perspective. The same events were happening, but each person's perception, and therefore, their truth, was different.
That changed my mind forever about perception.
Such great comements here.
Tan Lucy, love this story.
Always being curious and someone naughty too, I can remember, in high school, trying to prove that one teacher liked certain students better than others. For a home economics class, we had to make a dish towel. All three of us decided to turn in the same dish towel to the teacher. Of course, this was my idea, being the rebel I am. We all three got different grades! It proved to me, from early on that percception is indeed something that can be all about our reaction rather than how things 'really are.'
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