A matter of perception

How do you see things?
You most likely have heard the saying…
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
Or the question…
Is your glass half full or half empty?
(Or you could be like one of my friends who will reply, “overflowing”.)
I love that. I try to learn from my friends. I have really good people in my life and I think very highly of all of them (or they wouldn’t be in my life) I try to learn from them whenever I can.

You know how when a few women get together and start talking. It can easily lead into speculation about other people and what may or may not be going on in their life. Well, I have another really smart friend that will simply say, “You never know what is going on in someone’s life”. True. Are you peaking in their window? Do you read their mind? How can you really know what is going on?

I heard Oprah the other day say… “People think that pretty people don’t have problems”.
Do you read a book by its cover?

I tend to have a sarcastic sense of humor. But when I say things they don’t always get received in the way they were intended. In the past, I’ve tried to give up sarcasm for lent. It never goes well. I can give up Doritos or even wine (Ok, so that one is only when I’m pregnant but it counts) but I just can’t get the sarcasm out of me.

I do wonder sometime (after the fact and way too late to do anything about it) how people see me. I think maybe that’s why I try to play devil’s advocate when I can. (When I remember to) Attempt to give the benefit of doubt.

There is a part in the movie “Dead Poet Society” where Robin William’s character asks his students to stand up on the desk. He points out to them that sometimes you have to step out of the box or look at things differently to get a clear picture. See it in a different light. I’m reminded of this from time to time when I watch my 22 month old. Last week he couldn’t see what his sister was doing. So he climbed up on the table. I found him in the middle of the table on his knees and elbows with his nose about 2 inches from his sister’s craft project. He just wanted to get a better view.

Should I have yelled? Should I watch him every single second of the day and be two feet away at all times just in case??? Ten people will see it ten different ways. I just scooped him up, kissed his cheek and set him on the floor. Do I always handle things this way… sadly NO. All too often I react then I think.

Those who interpret body language will tell you that crossed arms is a sign of someone who is unapproachable, closed, someone who may be angry. I know when my arms are crossed, I’m cold or maybe I feel self-conscious. By no means am I trying to tell people to stay away from me. Go ahead, talk to me, I won’t bite.

Do you have an open mind? Do you give the benefit of doubt? How do you see the world around you? How do you express yourself? What do you want others to see?

Enjoy the day and look at things a little different. What do you see??????