Upgrading Our Perceptions

Today, consider working with the intention to Upgrade Your Perceptions. How we perceive our life influences the way we feel about our life. Some may argue that they are only being realistic – that there is only one way to look at things – “realistically.” The problem is that our experience of “reality” is powerfully influenced by our past, our fears, and our cultural conditioning.  

For example, a young woman who grew up watching her father abuse her mother might argue that she is just being realistic when she claims that all men are violent and untrustworthy. Even if a kind and peaceful man crosses her path, chances are she will perceive him through the filters of her past conditioning (or not even notice him at all). While it’s not difficult to understand her limited perception of men, it’s easy to see that this women’s perception is not the only version of “reality.”

Becoming more aware of our perceptions - and consciously choosing to upgrade what we tell ourselves about ourselves, our circumstances, our relationships, our finances, and our world - is a powerful step toward personal liberation.  If your perceptions are not generating a positive, peaceful feeling, chances are you are working with a limiting belief/perception. A few reminders:

• Every thought and perception has an emotional equivalent (fear, anger, hopelessness, peace, gratitude, etc.)  For example, notice how the following perceptions make you feel: The economy is really bad. I’m too old to change. If he loved me, he wouldn’t _________ (fill in the blank). The good ones are all married. Ask yourself how you want to feel…  how might you change the way you are looking at your life so as to generate more of that feeling? Give yourself permission to feel good.
• Many of us have been conditioned to believe that if I feel something, it must be true. Oftentimes, the opposite is true – what I feel is the result of what I believe to be true.* 
• No matter how long we’ve bought into a particular perception, we are always free to change our minds!
• One of the easiest (and most liberating!) perceptions to practice is, “It is what it is.” Taking the judgment out of our perceptions often brings forward a deeper feeling of peace, and most of us make healthier decisions when we are in a clear and centered place of acceptance.
• If you are having trouble “upgrading” your current perceptions, ask a friend to share their perception of the situation. Again, our own past often muddies our ability to see with real-eyes – our loved ones can help us to realize our greater potential (ie, unlimited self-perceptions).
• Exposing yourself to other people’s perceptions may result in either feeling uplifted or depressed and heavy. This week, notice how you feel around certain conversations (including the news) and practice either removing yourself from the conversation or upgrading your perception of what is being said in service to your own emotional mastery.

*Note the distinction between “feeling” and intuition.

We can’t always control what happens in our outer world, but with practice, we can master our inner world. As we discipline ourselves to perceive ourselves, each other, and our circumstances in ways that leave us feeling more peaceful, more hopeful, and more compassionate, we unleash the power to change our outer world.  As above, so below…

~Sonny Conley