Of experiences, perceptions and insight into much more

Do perceptions matter? Maybe yes maybe not. A lot depends on the circumstances, personal beliefs and of course the mindset of the person dealing with them.

Perceptions can be deceptive, and misconceived perceptions are often gnarly. We begin developing insights right from the time we are born, for the parents bring to us things in a peculiar light that remain static for most of our lifetime. The journey continues as we age, we form new impressions and gain fresh experiences, retaining old ones and busting some myths along the way. As we learn more about human nature and life, we tend to soak in a plethora of information, and our mind attunes itself with those impressions.

Some perceived notions are permanent, some transient, and some are formed unbeknownst to us in the subconscious mind. Sometimes, the way we hold on to our wavering, yet persistent thoughts can lead us to trouble. There’s always an unseen side to the coin and we seldom explore it, for we assume that what we see is the truth, not knowing that there’s more to it.

There are always more approaches than one for a thing, an idea or a thought to be perceived. Such as the popular demonstration that goes with rebuffing an enclosed outlook about 6 being 6 to someone and it being 9 to someone else looking at it from another direction. This teaches us to approach a situation from a bird’s eye view and look at the bigger picture. When we dissociate ourselves from a problem, we tend to find more solutions.

So, to say, we take decisions also with a preconceived mindset, which may overlook the other’s thinking. But, bringing in empathy and consideration can help bring a totally new side to the surface. Perceptions tend to mould our behaviour too when we deal with people with the thoughts of ‘what they might be thinking about us’ constantly playing up in the background. This can mar good conversations, affect our confidence, and not let many personal or professional relationships flourish. To deal with it, we should learn how to bring in the aspect of stoicism and embrace stillness.

Our standpoints can change with new experiences and when we learn how to take on the unknown with balance. In fact, experiences enrich our perspectives and vice-versa.

In today’s age of digitalisation, the scenario of being misinterpreted and false perspectives has indeed worsened. As being behind the screens has made us perceive things the way we want to, often distorting the real meaning and intent of the message. We fall prey to the expressionless and emotionless writing and gibberish, reaching us through a lifeless mode. I’m sure all of us may have witnessed this pattern once or more, when we meant to convey something, and it got diluted in the chain reaction of mistaken perspectives at the receiver’s end. What follows is only chaos.

Perhaps, it’s time to do a reality check. Are you still viewing the world through your sunglasses?

THERE’S ALWAYS AN UNSEEN SIDE TO THE COIN AND WE SELDOM EXPLORE IT, FOR WE ASSUME THAT WHAT WE SEE IS THE TRUTH, NOT KNOWING THAT THERE’S MORE TO IT