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The Importance of Perception

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Peter Sellers starred in a movie called "Being There" many years ago. He played the role of a gardener who worked for a rich man. Despite having little education and a limited ability to learn, the garden was his whole world. He lived in a cottage at the back of the property and had never been inside the main house. The rich man passed away in an unusual manner, and in a twist of fate, Mr. Seller's character was mistaken for the wealthy, famous, and highly intellectual benefactor.


The perception of the world about the "gardener" sage is quite amusing. When asked complex questions like, "What role should the industrial-military complex play in regulating the global economy?", he answers, "If you want tulips to bloom in spring, plant them late in the fall." The inquisitors, assuming that the "genius" is speaking in riddles, take this answer and turn it into a complex economic theory based on their preconceptions. The idea turns out to be successful, and the fame of the sage grows, along with the complexity of the plot. Upon encountering an elevator for the first time, the gardener mistakes it for a small room in which people wait for others to move furniture around outside the door.


In this peculiar tale, it is unclear whose perception should be considered accurate. Which perception represents reality? Despite the gardener's answers being irrelevant to the questions, they were accepted as someone's version of the truth. The gardener's perception of the elevator became their reality.


As we go through our lives, we are constantly either perceiving others or being perceived ourselves. Depending on what we do and where we do it, people may view us as either good or bad. We all have our own motivations, goals, and obstacles in life, and how we see ourselves shapes our reality. Our self-image is often tied to our noble purpose and the objectives we work towards. However, it's important to realize that not everyone shares our perception of ourselves and our world. Our understanding of events and situations is filtered through our own experiences, which means that our perception of reality is unique. It's crucial to recognize that our perception may not be entirely accurate and to think before acting. We should test our perception by asking whether the evidence, verification, and facts support it.


It is important to understand that not everyone perceives a situation in the same way as we do. Therefore, in order to foster healthy relationships, we must actively listen to others and address any issues that may help them better understand our perspective. By changing our relationships with others, we can change how they perceive us, which in turn can change the reality of the situation. It is important to strive for unity rather than uniformity, as everyone brings their own unique perspective to the table.




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patriciachannelmc
16 de jul.

Thank you for this breakdown.


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