What might your experience be like if you can’t perceive it? Take a moment to examine your surroundings. Are you in a known or unfamiliar environment? Stop reading and take a look around you. Choose an object, perhaps one you hadn’t seen previously, and focus on it. If you concentrate hard enough, it will become brighter and much more “real” than when it was simply a bit of background noise in your life.
What might your experience be like if you can’t perceive it?
Now, strive to see your surroundings through the perspective of the objects. Certain people can do this effortlessly, while others must concentrate. You may sense a little shift in your perception — a strange jump in reality, where you are suddenly observing the world differently – depending on how effectively you are directing your mind. Whether you observed anything, your perception did shift for a brief moment. Being aware of your perspective is critical because if you are not, someone else will construct it for you.
Like optical illusions, our minds try to fill in the specifics of something — they either think they already understand or don’t quite comprehend. This works well when that is the objective – allowing our environment to be formed for enjoyment for a short period. However, drifting through life and allowing others to shape your perceptions can lead to a profoundly unfulfilling life.
“Everything you see, hear, or feel is unique because you build a world by seeing it, everything in it is unique to you.” (Adams, 2001).
We’re all caught up in our own stories. Most of us believe that we are our story. Things start to go wrong when those tales take on an existence of their own and that life isn’t the one we desire.
Consider the tale you’re now living. Who penned it? Did you actively choose to build your current world, or was it influenced mainly by your parents, colleagues, spouse, school, or the internet?
Change your viewpoint if you don’t like the tale you’re experiencing. Consider how you may write the next section of your narrative. Concentrate your vision on constructing a new reality in which you control the tale. Take on the role of scriptwriter and director instead of just being an actor.
Everything starts with a decision — make the right now to take control of your vision of reality. If you wouldn’t, there are many people whose main job is to shape that perception for you.
Check the following reference articles to learn more about what your experience might be like if you can’t perceive it.
Salkind, N., Adams, D., Dermer, C., Heinerikson, J., Jones, B., & Nash, E. (2000). Guns and chewing gum: The perceptions and reality of problem behaviors in public schools. School Psychology International, 21(1), 106-112
This article is written by:
This article is written and edited by in-house writers and editors. Knowledge Netizen editorial team is committed to providing accurate and informative content. You can cite our articles under the author name "NetizenMe"
