The Power of Perception.

Everything that we see, feel, hear and experience is a result of how we perceive the world around us.  Although I would gather that most of us have been taught over time that the things that we see in this world exist as we see them, and are real, the truth is that anything that we experience in our lives is a matter of how we perceive it.  So, for example, when I look at an upholstered chair, I may see a piece of furniture that is comfortable to sit in.  To another person, it could be a piece of art, or something for the garbage dump.

Perception is everything.

So consider the concept when it comes to how we view other human beings, especially persons that seem to be very different than ourselves.  Maybe I have a perception that persons of a different racial category than myself are more prone to violence; or maybe the perception that marriage is between a man and a woman. Or the perception that any religious belief that is not Christianity is not valid, not meaningful, not deeply spiritual enough.

I don't hold any of these views currently, but I have had perceptions of persons around me that were based on the way that I wanted to see the world; the way that I chose to view others.  My perception was based on the filters that I use, to give the real world a positive, negative, or neutral value.  Over time, these become my actual belief systems, based on what I perceive the world to be.

The beauty of perception, although it is quite powerful, it can ALWAYS be changed.  So, the way that I see another human being, no matter what I have believed or thought in the past, can always be changed to see them in another way.  A way that celebrates their unique qualities; values the things that are important to them; and seeks an opportunity for understanding, learning and growth.

Perception is powerful, and so much more powerful when we see how we can change it in ways to be more open to the world around us.  

Learning and the Need for Fun.

My daughter is in her junior year of high school.  Up until high school, her school experiences have been filled with many different types of teachers, most of which enhanced her learning.  I believe that they did so by making learning fun for their students, for her.  So, she would enjoy going to school, and learning ended up being a sure fire way for her to meet her need for fun.  And, the learning would always stick as well, because when we enjoy our process of learning, we tend to remember it better because it is more meaningful to us.

Well, now that she is in high school, my daughter's learning has become a different experience, because for many of her instructors, teaching, and their student's learning, is not fun.  There is memorization, seriousness, a regimented order of doing things, and little room for creativity and inventiveness.  So, as a result, she is having much less fun than she has in the past.  And, the teachers that she does have, that are creative in how they teach, those are her favorites and the ones that stick out the most for her, and the classes that she excels in.

I always remember that Bill Glasser made a point of stating that our learning is enhanced when we are having fun.  We are open to information when we enjoy the process.  This can be applied in any type of context, but today, I am thinking about it in particular, about the process of teaching people about cultural awareness.  When persons are "required" to learn or attend trainings about diversity or cultural awareness, the ability for them to learn and have it stick is largely reduced, because more likely than not, the experience will not be a fun one for them.  When we don't make what we have to offer others purposeful, meaningful and symbolic for them in some way, it won't be fun.  It won't be well received.

The best option, in my mind, is to always see opportunities to teach, and to learn from others.  When we are open, we are more likely to take in new information, especially if we can see how it applies to us.  And, we can even have fun while we are learning or teaching others, rather than having it be a painful experience for all.  I think that when we all take small steps to open to and grow with one another, that we can make great strides in understanding and embracing our differences.