Perception

Did you ever play that game when you were a kid called Telephone? Maybe it was called something different when you played it, but it was that game where you would whisper something into one person's ear, then they'd whisper it into the next person's, they'd whisper it into the next, etc.. When it got to the last person they'd have to say outloud what was just told to them and nine times out of ten, it was a different version of what was originally said.

I was reminded of that game today when my girlfriend and I had a conversation on Facebook. It started with her posting this quote - "Unless your heart, your soul, and your whole being are behind every decision you make, the words from your mouth will be empty, and each action will be meaningless. Truth and confidence are the roots of happiness." Then our conversation went something like this...

I said, "Not so sure I agree with this one. That would be idea,l but I think sometimes decisions need to be made that you just can't do that with. There are many roots of happiness."

She said, "Really? Interesting...I know for me, that unless my whole heart is behind a decision I make, my soul stirs and my decision feels empty...and that affects my happiness. Some people can live very easily without needing truth behind them, they rationalize their decisions and it works for them. This quote is a representation of how I feel about the world and noone elses."

I said, "I understand what you're saying and more power to you if you're able to do that. I just know that there have been times in my life when I've needed to make decisions that were a "Lesser of two evils" type thing, and when that type of decision making becomes necessary, it's hard to feel like it's backed by my heart and soul. It's not about not needing truth behind it, I just think sometimes the truth is not always something your heart, soul, and whole being can be behind. Maybe in time it becomes that way, but at the moment you're making the decision, not so much."

She said, "But that's where the truth lies. In being honest with yourself that you have to make a choice between two evils and that you are making the best choice you can, given the circumstances. That IS truth...doesn't mean the decisions are easy."

I said, "Okay...so maybe my heart, my soul and my whole being ARE behind the decision and it just doesn't feel that way at the time, BUT if it doesn't feel that way at the time then how do I know that's the case? Maybe we're saying the same thing in different ways."

And actually, now that I've re-read this while I'm writing, I think maybe it's the word confidence that I don't agree with. It's hard to have confidence when you're choosing between the lesser of two evils. ANYWAY...It's an aspect of human nature that will always fascinate me. How two people can hear, read or see the exact same thing, and have two totally different perceptions of what they've just heard, read or seen. 

It's getting late and I'm tired, so I will leave you with this thought...It's important to stay open to other people's perceptions, because in the end, you might just be saying the same thing, only in different ways.

xo,
Carrie