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Perception is defined as the ability to see, hear or become aware of something through the senses; a way of regarding, understanding or interpreting something; a mental impression.  Perception usually forms when you have assumed a thing to be what you think it is.  Each of us have our own perception of how we perceive people and the world around us.  Your perception of a thing, is not always factual, because it is based upon your own understanding and interpretation of the phenomenon. We do not have all the answers, which is why it is important to keep an open mind about the way we perceive anything.

 

As we know, an interpretation can be biased based upon how we process information (think).  These biases can derive from your own life experiences and similar situations.  Biases are where misinterpretation can take place.  To avoid misinterpretation, ask for the meaning of a thing to get a better understanding.  Have you ever read a book or watched a movie and derived at a different conclusion from others who watched the same movie or read the same book?  Have you ever formed a perception of someone only to find that they are not the type of person that you think they are?  Different conclusions to the same or similar phenomenon usually happen, because of how we perceive what we read or see.  To fully understand anything, we have to know the true meaning (the facts) behind the phenomenon, without making assumptions.  Get the facts by asking questions, before you form an assumption.  The data is the facts, collect the data to make data driven decisions. 

 

People usually think how they are (based upon their own thoughts and behaviors) and they assume that everyone else is like or thinks like them.  However, because we are not all the same, and we do not always think and behave in the same way, it is not always good to make false assumptions that are not accurate.  Our perception is how we view things, people, and the world around us.  Be careful how you view things, people, and the world around you.  Be curious enough to get to a better understanding of things, by doing your own research on a specific topic of interest.  Be inquisitive enough to ask the person questions you want to know the answers to, so that you can get an understanding of who that person truly is, and not assume who you think that person is based on your own perception or the way that you are.  Be mindful enough to engage and get involved in the community, so that you can understand the world around you. 

 

When you perceive anything, be open to asking questions to get the facts about an idea, thought, person, or any type of phenomenon.  Never assume.  To get a more accurate perspective about something, always ask questions directly to the person you are forming an opinion about (if it is a person).  Do the research yourself.  Your perception alone could be misleading, which is why it is not always good to try to persuade people to always agree with you or think like you do.  Expand your mind and open your heart and eyes to the world around you, beyond your own understanding.  Get it?  Perception.

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By Bryce Thompson

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