Often What We See Isn’t What Is the Reality!

Our perceptions shape the way we see the world around us. However, what we perceive is not always an accurate reflection of reality. Our brains are wired to fill in gaps and make assumptions based on our past experiences and beliefs. This can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and even outright deception. Sometimes we need to understand that our perceptions can deceive us and that is why it is important to challenge our assumptions and seek out the truth.

What is Perception vs. Reality? The answer can be sought in the understanding that Perception is the process of interpreting sensory information to make sense of the world around us. It involves the integration of our senses, such as sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, with our past experiences, beliefs, and expectations. Our perception of reality is not always an accurate reflection of the world around us. It is this gap which leads to disillusionment in many of us.

For example, optical illusions are a clear demonstration of how our perceptions can be deceiving. In an optical illusion, our brain perceives something that is not actually present in the image. We may see lines that are not straight, shapes that are not the same size, or objects that are not there at all.

Similarly, our perceptions of other people and situations can be distorted by our own biases, prejudices, and assumptions. We may see someone as aggressive or untrustworthy based on their appearance or behaviour, even if they are not actually behaving in that way. We may also make assumptions about a situation based on our past experiences, even if those experiences are not relevant to the current situation. That’s why we often hear that never judge a book by its cover!

How can we challenge our assumptions? The important thing about challenging our assumptions and seeking out the truth is to avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations. This means questioning our own perceptions and seeking out alternative perspectives.

One way to challenge our assumptions is to engage in active listening. This involves listening to others without judgment and seeking to understand their perspective, even if it differs from our own. We can also seek out information from multiple sources to gain a more complete understanding of a situation. It helps to be level-headed and calm. Keeping the reasoning in the forefront is what is required. Filtering the fake from the real will help in better understandings.

Another way to confront our assumptions is to engage in critical thinking. This involves analysing information and arguments to evaluate their validity and credibility. We can ask ourselves questions such as, “What evidence supports this claim?” or “What assumptions are being made here?” “Why am I thinking thus?” “Should I look within myself to understand this situation better?”

By putting our assumptions to test and seeking out the truth, we can dodge misunderstandings and side-step misinterpretations and gain a more accurate understanding of the world around us.

Our perceptions shape the way we see the world, which may not always be an accurate reflection of reality, and this is because our brains are wired to fill in gaps and make assumptions based on our past experiences and beliefs. Which is ok till such time that these do not lead to mix-ups and misapprehensions and do not askew our understanding of the world around us. We must not forget that there can be multiple ways to seek a solution, but the moral would remain the same – a right and a wrong.

Next time you find yourself jumping to conclusions or making assumptions, take a step back and think, then analyse why your perceptions are the way they are – you might be surprised at what you discover! Sometimes removing oneself from a chaotic situation and placing ourselves away from a difficult scenario often leads to more clarity & proper understanding.

This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023

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