You’ve heard that “Perception is reality,”
and if that is the case then how we perceive ourselves and the world will for sure define how we live our lives, won’t it?
Here is a video of an amazing real-life self image test conducted by a FBI trained forensic artist in which several women were first asked to verbally describe their own facial features to the artist so that he (the artist) could draw out sketches of these women’s faces without actually seeing them.
The artist then asked another group of people to verbally describe the facial features of those same women so that he could then draw out sketches of these women’s faces based on how other people see them.
Watch the video and check out the results. This is a shocking case study of how the idea of perception is reality plays a critical role in our lives…
This video actually moved me to tears.
Yes, a grown man does cry…
I kid you not.
Perception IS reality – A kitten or a lion?
You’ve probably seen this cool picture somewhere on the Internet before.
A kitten sits coolly in front of a mirror staring at his own reflection.
The reflection is the image of a powerful and proud lion… with a mane and all!
A picture is truly worth a thousand words, huh?
For one reason or another, we often see ourselves so much less than what God created us to be.
Wayne W. Dyer once said
“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”
Ain’t that the truth?
How we perceive things, people, the environment around us make up “our world.”
And “our world” really is what all that matters to us individually, consciously and subconsciously.
This is not just some spiritual belief but a scientific fact.
Check out this article by Scientific American titled Looks Can Deceive… it is quite a fascinating read.
The author Christof Koch concluded –
Our conscious perception of the world, though relatively stable, is not static. We are incapable of being fully objective, even in our most mundane observations and impressions. Our awareness of the objects around us is informed and fine-tuned by any number of transient factors—our strength and energy levels, our sense of confidence, our fears and desires. Being human means seeing the world through your own, constantly shifting, lens.
There is a series of excellent audio CDs by New York Times best-selling author Orrin Woodward, particularly the one called Lens Effect that address this exact topic and offer practical solutions to enhance our abilities to use the best lens possible to live fuller, more fulfilled lives.
I highly recommend them.
Perception is reality – How to change YOUR reality
Life is unfair so suck it up, and deal with it.
The truth is life is unfair to everyone, not just your and me!
What we do with what we’ve got is more important than what others have that we lack.
And since we already know that perception is reality, then how do we go about changing our perceptions to change our realities?
Self-directed education materials that help me create better friendships and loving relationships, more money, improved health… you name it!
Most of us have never been taught this important skill of creating our own reality through formal education in the school systems so how is it that some people seem to be able to effortlessly shift their thoughts on the fly, re-frame their perspectives quickly, see positives in every situation, seize all opportunities that come their way and create amazing results in literally everything they do?
It’s simple.
Not easy peasy, but simple.
It’s through a process called self-directed education.
Ever heard the quote “Leaders are readers?”
That is a form of self-directed education.
Learning from people that are successful in different areas of life by listening to audios, watching videos and reading books and last but not least… associating with them live in person is all that it takes to create life-transforming results.
When I was introduced to personal development and leadership training materials for the first time back in 2004, I was literally ANGRY that such critical life skills were never taught during my 4-year college career.
The college degree that I invested over $100,000 to earn.
HOWEVER, better late than never, right?
Perception is reality – Welcome to the Matrix…
As I began to immerse myself in those materials, my life began to change for the better.
I turned off the radio and the television, stopped listening to the negative people and naysayers around me, and began studying and learning from successful people on what I know today as the 8 F’s of life.
They are: Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, Following, Friendship, Freedom and Fun.
My heart is now fulfilled with love and joy because I found God!
My love life has improved because I learned to communicate effectively to express my affection and care for my partner while getting my own needs fulfilled!
My relationship with my family became much closer!
My physical and mental fitness are in the best shapes of my life!
I develop new and deep friendships at ease with the learned skill of being compassionate and empathetic to others.
I now understand what true freedom and liberty without romanticizing the hedonistic lifestyle.
I learned that servant leadership is what makes the world turn.
And lastly, as the result of all the other benefits I’ve received by changing my perceptions to create my own realty… my income has increased by over 400% and continues to grow.
Not bad for studying a few audio and video clips, reading books and hanging out with some cool people, eh?
P.S. Perception is reality, and whether you believe that statement or not is of course, your own reality.