as you are

One of my old mentors used to tell me that the world is as you are, not as it is...

It's an interesting observation that has stuck with me.

How we "see" things influences how we "feel" about those things.

How you think = How you are.

So... since (our) perception is (our) reality, doesn't it make sense to change our perception when our reality is in need of change?

But how? How does one go about changing their perceptions?

Two ways:

1) Get honest about any long-held perceptions that may not serve you anymore. Fall out of love with the notion that your way of seeing things is the only "right" way. It rarely is. If you don't have the objectivity to do this yourself, ask someone else who really knows you to help.

2) Become willing to consider another viewpoint. Being willing doesn't mean blindly agreeing. Do some homework and investigate other viewpoints for yourself. Sometimes the very act of trying to challenge or disprove another perspective exposes new information that was unseen before.

No one likes to change. Change makes people defensive. Change is hard. But change is necessary for growth.

Think back one, five, even ten or more years ago... how much have you changed?

Is "as you are" today really the way you want your world to be tomorrow?

If not, then keep what's working and get rid of the rest. Your world depends on it.

©2008 Tom Leu