This week, my Aunty posted this on her facebook page - An important lesson I’m currently learning from my 8th block psychology class: “Should I worry about other people’s opinion and perspective about me? Not really because they are entitled to their own opinion, but I’m thankful for the attention they give me. Therefore, thank you for your opinion/perspective because now I know I’m a better person than you think!” I love it - perception can inform people's opinions but the reality is always going to be sweeter.
Just the other day, I was talking to someone about a trip that I am going on with my family, and they said "Gee you guys must be loaded!!" and I thought on that - and figured - that is probably the perception out there in my community - but if only people knew the things that were being done to make this possible - they would know that we are not. This goes along with the perception that people believe because Mr is a lawyer we are rolling in it ;-) It's so laughable because the first image I bring up in my mind is the car he drives and the toilet he paid a carpenter to build around a sink so its an odd shape and next to the bathroom which is the ugliest part of the house.... Just because on the outside everything looks absolutely fine.... until you know - you don't know...perceptions, especially uninformed ones - are funny (not haha funny either)!
I am a proud and loyal supporter of Piri Weepu (an All Black player). It was a no-brainer for me when I was faced with the choice of either buying Graham Henry's (Former All Black coach) book or Piri's :-) I know - a choice between the call maker (coach) or as he has been described as - Piri: the kingmaker!! Anwyay, I am reading about his build up to the world cup final and I am riveted - note to self, if all rugby books were this good - I could read games instead of having to watch them!! - and he talks about the pressure he puts on himself on to kick well on the day. He practices more than he normally does because he thinks that the Backs coach is giving him the eye and he gets the distinct impression that he better do a good job - or else... totally my words but you get the gist. The book then goes to one of the coaches for comment on this, and the Backs coach says that that may have been the perception of Piri but it as never his. In fact he goes on to say that the coaches didn't care what Piri did in the build up to the game because they already knew he was good for it!! Perceptions - is what we think of ourselves really what others think?
Recently I was listening to people talking about a scripture about perceptions - when Paul teaches in Romans 14:10 he is teaching us all that in the final assessment, our personal discipleship (following Christ) will not be judged by friends or foes. Rather, Paul said, “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” It is this day that the important question will be, “What thinks Christ of me?” Now that's a perception I will spend the rest of my life working on because it is the one that I want my reality to match that which He has of me ;-)
So the next time you think you know something about someone, or have an opinion or perception about something that is going on or is happening - step back! Don't be caught out like I have on many occasions - being way off the mark - because perceptions are a funny thing - and not the funny haha - but the other funny!!!
Yours in friendship,
Mxo
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