Perception

What your eyes see, your brain accepts. What you perceive, becomes your reality. 

There is a secret why people don't get along. There is a reason you and your best friend are mates. Any action, right or wrong, is based on a judgement developed from our perception. A thief steals because he knows no better way to get money. A child cries to get attention. We pay more for branded goods because we think it is better quality.

Perception is a powerful thing. More often than not, it's the reason behind our decisions. It's that X-factor that determines if we like something over another thing. It's the mysterious justification why we love certain brands/people/music/songs/etc.

Perception is built on our experience. What we have gone through, what we have learnt, all plays a part in shaping us today. And as long as we keep learning, we are continuously shaped. Our perception keeps shifting. We either enforce it, or we are led to a different perspective.

You see, perception is like two sides of the same coin. It's like the story of the 7 blind men and the elephant. Because they each touch a different part of the elephant; their perceptions of the elephant are all different. Similarly, we see issues and problems through our perception. A war veteran may argue that besting down an enemy is the only way to win. A pacifist may say instead that negotiation is the way to go. Who is right? Both and neither. Sometimes, a peaceful discussion is all it takes. Sometimes, a fight is needed.

That is why it is important to understand the other party's perception of an issue. 2 parties can amicably solve their differences when both can see each other's point. In any argument, we must seek to understand and to be understood.

The phrase "to walk a mile in another's shoes" is very true in this respect. To understand why someone thinks this way, we must first know what is his background. We build our arguments around the proof we experience before. Our past shapes our future. God brought us through that journey to lead us to where we become a blessing.

Please note that the past only SHAPES our future. It does not define it, it does not dictate it. Having a bad childhood does mean you have to live a bad adulthood. It means it can motivate you to live a better life and bless others with the same. Sometimes, only a burnt victim can reach out to another burnt victim.

It's important to know that God can put you in the right situation. What you do with it, what choices you make, that is entirely up to you. The good news is: you have a Best Friend in Heaven who can advise you. Better yet, put your life in His hands and He will lead you into a better life.