Perception: Seeing Past Your Colored Glasses

The Power of Perception

Everything you experience in life is filtered through your own set of “colored glasses.” Everything you see, feel, or think about is shaped by what your brain already knows. It loves to categorize and recognize patterns based on past experiences. Basically, your perception becomes YOUR reality.

Your brain is like a supercomputer—storing every mistake, every success, and every awkward moment (you know the ones). But here's the kicker: it only knows what it knows from what you’ve been through before.

This can be great when it helps you avoid repeating old mistakes (like never trusting your cousin to hold the ladder again). But it can also hold you back when something new comes along, and your brain insists on using the same old “filters” to make sense of it.

To break this down a little more, here’s a story about perception. 

A Tale of Two Perspectives

A young couple wanted to move to a new town, but before settling down, they decided to ask the local postmaster what the people there were like. You know, because the post office is basically the center of all small-town gossip.

When they got there, they asked, “Sir, what are the people like in this town? We’re thinking about moving here.”

The postmaster, who clearly had seen some things in his day, replied, “Well, what were the people like in the town you just left?”

The couple sighed dramatically and said, “Ugh, the people were awful! Nosy, gossipy, and not friendly at all.”

The postmaster nodded knowingly and said, “Well, you’re probably going to find the same type of people here too.”

A few weeks later, another couple strolled into town with the same idea. They also went straight to the postmaster to ask, “Sir, we’re thinking of moving here. What are the people like in this town?”

Once again, the wise postmaster asked, “What were the people like in the town you just left?”

This couple smiled and said, “Oh, they were amazing! Kind, welcoming, and just lovely. It was really hard to leave such great friends behind.”

The postmaster gave them the same answer: “Well, you’re probably going to find the same type of people here too.”

So, What’s the Moral?

Do you see how perception changes everything? Both couples got the same answer but based their expectations on their previous experiences. In a way, they carried their old town with them.

This doesn’t just apply to moving—it works in every area of life. Whether it’s school, work, or sports, how you choose to see things affects your reality. The good news is, perception is flexible. You can change it!

Here’s where it gets fun: instead of seeing challenges through those old “colored glasses,” why not try flipping the script? 

Flipping Your Perception

Next time you’re stuck in a tough situation, try asking yourself these questions:

• Is this a problem? Or could it be a possibility? 

• Am I getting frustrated? Or could I be fascinated? 

• Do I see this as an obstacle? Or could it be an opportunity? 

• Is this a mess? Or maybe it’s a message to change direction?

• Am I about to break down? Or could I break through?

• Is this a trying test? Or could it become a powerful testimonial?

This takes discipline and courage. Be brave my friend. Choose to see the positive that supports your prosperity. 

A Final Thought (With a Side of Optimism)

The truth is, when you change your perception, everything changes. It’s like swapping out those old, smudged glasses for a brand-new pair. Suddenly, the world looks a little brighter, you’re able to see things you haven’t seen before - your expanded awareness is now fueling your growth. 

So, next time life throws you a curveball, take a slow nasal breath, and try looking at it from a different perspective. Don’t allow a moment of chaos to pull you into old thinking patterns that add friction to your life. Stay open, and follow the new path.

“When we change our perception… everything changes.”