The Perception Deception

I ran into someone the other day who asked me about the city that I live in.  They wanted to know what the people were like as they were considering moving there.  I asked them what the people were like in the town that they were currently living in.  They quickly answered that the people were rude and inconsiderate and not at all friendly.  I told them that they would likely find the same kind of unfriendly people living in my town as well.

Later, I ran into another person who asked me the same question about the people where I live.  They were also considering moving to my town.  I asked them what the people were like in the town they were moving from.  They said that they were wonderful, caring people and that they would miss them very much.  I told them that they would likely find the same kind of caring people living in my town as well.

So what happened?  Did the people in the town change?  Did they somehow go from being bad to being good?  No, the people themselves did not change, but the perception of the people did.

This was actually a story I heard on a podcast by Wayne Dyer but I thought it was worth repeating.  This story has stuck with me for quite some time because it was so surprising to me.   It is a story about how we choose to see things.  And, I think it’s true.  

Basically, I believe that we get what we look for in life.  If we are seeking the worst in people we will find it every time.  If we are looking for the good in people we will find that as well. If we are certain that a situation will turn out poorly, then it most certainly will.  

Everything is neutral until we place our attachment on it.

I work in downtown Atlanta.  As you might expect, I have seen and heard some fairly disturbing things there.  I could easily view the entire city negatively if I chose to.  The simple fact is, however, that would be incredibly depressing and I probably wouldn’t be able to continue working there for long if I did so.  Instead, I choose to place my focus on what is positive.  On the lady in our building who greets me with a smile every single day.  On the man who plays music on the corner with the biggest smile you have ever seen.

Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or think you cannot – you’re right.”  I have changed his quote to say, “Whether you think it’s good or think it’s bad – you’re right.”  Your thoughts alone will determine how you view a situation.

Even Albert Einstein said that the most important decision we have to make in our lives is this:  Do I live in a friendly or hostile universe?  Based on your answer you will create the world that you see.