“90% of what happens to us did not really happen to us.
It is what we've perceived happened to us.” — Robert Edward Grant
“I can’t believe she just ignored me.”
“Growing up, Mom always favored you over me.”
“Why were they in such a bad mood?”
“That teacher was so unfair.”
If Robert Edward Grant’s statement is true, then it follows that most of what we recall really didn’t go down the way we thought it did. Instead, our interpretation of past events and conversations are tainted by how we construed the situation. Maybe we weren’t paying attention, or perhaps we were in a particular state of mind which influenced how we processed what occurred. Regardless, our memories are contingent on our perception.
“Our emotions act like a filter through which we see the rest of the world.” — don Miguel Ruiz
When we misinterpret others’ words, feel unheard, or sense conflict with another—whether this is true—we forge an inaccurate memory tainted by our state of being. These ideas we create then influence our future actions and thoughts. Perhaps we make false assumptions or imagine issues when there are none. Sometimes this causes us to doubt others or ourselves.
If perception inevitably impacts reality, how do we keep our negative mindsets from robbing us of happiness and joy? What can we do to prevent our small selves’ insecure thought processes from influencing how we view the world?
“If you change the way you look at things, things you look at change.” — Wayne Dyer
I suppose this may sound too good to be true, yet there is a beautiful truth in Wayne Dyer’s words. If we can shift how we show up, view what is occurring around us, and interpret others’ words and actions, then we possess the power to alter our reality.
Let’s consider how changing our outlook can influence an outcome. Should I choose to enter a situation—perhaps a meeting that I’m anxious about—expecting a “less than” result, I’ll naturally look for signs that what I expect is indeed happening. Even the smallest evidence that supports my suspicions only prompts me to seek more signs that things are going south. Repeated confirmations—my perception of what is occurring—then impacts my attitude about the interactions in this meeting. I think you can see where this is headed … this flood of negative thought forms only serves to attract more bad energy to the situation, resulting in a reality influenced by my perception.
However, if I consciously choose to imagine a positive scenario where what transpires at this meeting exceeds my expectation, then guess what? Most likely, good things will result. That’s because we attract results that mesh with our current vibration. If we are emitting an optimistic energetic field, we’re more likely to receive a positive outcome.
Will it always work? No … but what’s the downside? After all, showing up as our highest self and shining our light feels so much better than doubting or fearing future events.
Let’s take this one step further … what if we adjusted our perception to remember things being even better than what we recall happened in the past? If we realize the stories we tell ourselves are frequently not based on truth, how would that impact our current reality?
When we raise our vibration, we lift ourselves to a higher consciousness, one where the possibilities are endless. And in the process, we also lift others.
How we show up in life is up to us. If altering how I view the world can positively impact my reality—and ultimately benefit those around me—then I’m willing to give it a try!
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