The Power of Perception
What is Perception?
According to a fancy dictionary, perception is…. “a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something.”
Nicci’s way of defining perception is…..
“How we CHOOSE to see, feel, or think about a situation, a person, or ourselves.”
The key word here is CHOOSE! You have to realize that this is all a CHOICE. You have the freedom to CHOOSE how you look at a situation. You CHOOSE how you think of yourself and others. Every day, you get to CHOOSE how you think and feel!
I know we are all so familiar with the glass being half full or half empty. It’s an overused phrase, but yet it is so powerful. Let’s take this phrase and change it to some real life circumstances.
*When looking at your bank account, do you think of the things that you can’t pay, or the things you are able to do?
*When thinking about your job, do you only see the negative things you hate, or do you thank God for the ability to earn money for your family?
*When looking at your spouse, do you choose to see their weaknesses, or do you admire their strengths?
*When looking in the mirror, do you nit-pick at the things you perceive as not good enough, or rejoice for the health and body you have been blessed with? I mean let’s get real for a moment… I’m sure there is a person bound to a wheelchair or someone who is fighting for their life that would gladly switch bodies and health with you.
*When reflecting on your past, do you choose to only see the mistakes, the shame, and the brokenness, or do you see the high moments and understand that purpose will be found in all the painful moments.
No matter what analogy you use or how you choose to say it, the idea boils down to this….
PERCEPTION IS A CHOICE!
You get to CHOOSE every day how you will perceive every part of your life!
I know that sometimes it is very difficult to see the glass as half full and it feels almost impossible to focus on the positive or to even find any positive, BUT it is still a choice. With that being said, choose your hard…..you can fight to change your perception, or you can drown in all your negative thoughts.
The Power!
Why is perception such a powerful thing?
How you CHOOSE to think is how you will FEEL. How you FEEL is how you will ACT.
Your thoughts dictate everything! They create your feelings and then guide your physical reactions to everything. All your feelings, behaviors, and actions first start with a thought….a CHOSEN perception. It all starts with a moment of you deciding how you will perceive a circumstance, a person, or yourself.
Please hear me out…..the power is in your hands! We only lose authority when we choose to give the power to someone else. How do we do that….allowing someone else to control our thoughts…… allowing society to define success and happiness…..comparing ourselves to the highlight reels of others. When you hand over the power of your thoughts to someone, you might as well hand them your heart too.
Stop the cycle of negativity…..you can find joy in the midst of brokenness, defeat, and uninvited circumstances. Take back the power and authority that you have given to others! Take back the power of your thoughts and take back your life! What are you waiting for? Enough is enough! You CHOOSE your perception! CHOOSE joy! CHOOSE it now!
