Perception is reality. When we live in this flawed world, and our lives are impacted inappropriately it changes our perception of truth. It alters how we see the world, it alters how we see ourselves. The Ames room in the video above relied on our assumptions about what constitutes a room based on our past experiences. Perception is reality.

Even after the dynamics of the Ames room were explained, was it hard for you to “see” the room differently? Even though it is not logical that a person could walk across a room before your eyes and shrink, or grow larger in seconds, the concept of the room being other than what you are accustomed to was hard to accept. You may have even viewed the video more than once, to confirm what you saw.

Right or wrong, true or false, our perception is reality.

As you have moved along this odyssey of life, have you encountered people you thought to be a friend only to realize later they were not? Have you gotten into a relationship with someone thinking it would be forever, then find that the last place you would choose to be is the same room with them? Have you had a heartfelt belief that you understood a particular concept, later to experience a totally different truth, up close and personal? Perception is reality.

What have you been told about yourself that you believed, shaped your whole life around, and then discovered that it was not true? Have you taken a job that was totally wrong for you because of errant perception? Have you made a major purchase, and soon thereafter had an extreme case of buyer’s remorse, because you disregarded the obvious truth? Have you gotten that trendy new haircut, and found that it was not a good look for you, but it seemed right at the time?

Perception Begins Early

When children around the age of five are asked what it is they want to do when they grow up, their responses include: astronaut, marine biologist, president, firefighter, and doctor, or the like. By the time they arrive in middle school many of those aspirations have changed. Not that any professions omitted from this brief list here are less than any others, while they all do require hard work, and education. When those same children are asked less than a decade later most of those dreams have faded. 

Part of the change comes from the steady drip, drip, drip of messages telling them they are not, or they cannot, do whatever it takes to fill those shoes. Usually they are not appropriately guided toward an area of work that fits their gifts and talents.

I have had the pleasure of mentoring and coaching others with my husband. We have worked together facilitating photography classes all over the greater Los Angeles area. Empowering participants to express themselves through the camera lens.  We have worked with participants of all ages. Anger management has been an area that is facilitated by that type of expression. Perception is reality.

Not long ago, one particular class, comprised of youth from 15 to 18 years of age was in our 10-week anger management program. These adolescents were residents of an underserved community in South Los Angeles, all of them were having some challenges finding their way to success, either at home, or in school, or both.

As a part of the curriculum we address how images are used to form untrue perceptions. Participants explored how powerful photos can be in expressing feelings. We had them examine lies that they learned to believe, which later they found were untrue. Perception is reality.

My husband came up with the idea of asking the students to capture a lie they were taught to believe about themselves through the lens, and counter it with another image of the truth they have come to know. A very powerful assignment!

One of our students, a fifteen-year-old female, took a picture of her report card, she was an A student. Then next to it she had taken a photo of the words “Stupid Jack Ass”. She explained to us the words she photographed is her nickname. The nickname given to her by her parents, the name she is regularly answers to in her home! This quiet, reserved, thoughtful young lady had not shared this truth with anyone else. Yet she was able to affirm that it was not true, she was neither stupid nor a beast of burden. Lies harm us.

When she revealed her completed assignment to us, my husband and I both were saddened that she had to live that lie, and at the same time were elated that she could open up and examine this very important truth with herself! Perception is reality!

What closely held lies do you carry about yourself? Perception is reality.

Renew Your Mind

Sometimes lies are before us, and because of how we have learned to process information, or what we are accustomed to seeing, we think we are operating in truth or light when we are being guided by lies and drawn into darkness.

According to the word in Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (King James Version)

Clearly there is good reason to separate the way that seems right from truth.

First John 2:4 through 11 begins, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (King James Version). There is freedom in truth. (See John 8:32)

Perception is reality. We are to walk in the reality of His commandments. As we meditate, read and study the word we learn to walk in the way of His commandments. As we continue to nurture our relationship with God our perception becomes His. Our reality becomes His.

Because He is our Maker, to live the best life we are to follow, His manual, which is filled with instructions on how to live this life in this flesh. The Apostle Paul shares with is in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (King James Version)

When the perception we have fails to align with God’s truth our minds are in need of renewal. We are to make those perceptions new. The truth we have come to know may be flawed. The truth we have carried with us for a long time, upon examination may be skewed like the Ames room.

Perception is reality, what did you see when you saw the Ames room? Was your perception in line with reality? As you examine truth in your relationships, your decisions, and how you see yourself, seek God’s guidance, pursue it! (See Psalm 36:13 and Psalm 51:6)

Take Inventory and Take Action!

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”