Perception...in the Eye of the Beholder

My fellow Americans, I have had enough! This is the opening line of a speech I would like to give to my friends, family and anyone else who is so unbelievably heated about the upcoming political election. The two key words here are "political" and "election". Though this is not intended to be a political post by any means, I do have to start with this crap since it's just about everywhere lately. First, political: the art or science of government. I don't know about you, but to me politics is nothing more than opinion and perception.  This is especially true around election time.  The person who wins the election is the person who, in other's opinions, is deemed most appropriate or suitable for the job.  There is no right or wrong answer in political elections.  In the history of politics, there has never been a member of our government who was voted into office that the entire country agreed was perfect for the job.  So, why then do people get so sensitive when it comes to their political opinions?

I don't know the answer to this.  What I do know, however, is that the older I get and the more screwed up our country gets, the more aggravated I get with people in my world regarding their perceptions.  I've talked about perception in the past, but this is a bit different.  I truly feel that one of the main reasons why our country and our society are so out of whack is that there is a total lack of respect for thy brothers and sisters.  There, I said it.  There is little respect left in the world.  Kids disrespect their parents, parents disrespect their bosses,  friends disrespect each other.  It's a wave of negativity.  I don't care who you vote for, as long as you get out there and place a vote.  THAT, my friends, is the fundamental right of each and every one of us.  The only glue to our whole existence as a nation.  Rights!  Choose them, don't abuse them.

Enough of the political BS, I still want to talk about perception and its effects.  I find it funny how one tiny topic can be perceived by a group of people in several different ways.  There are always going to be two sides to every opinion.  Conversations are also perceived differently nowadays.  It all goes back to that lack of respect.  If you are speaking to someone and are thinking "how did they manage that job" or "how can they afford that car", you are totally disrespecting them, not to mention showing your true envy.  Fact is, it doesn't matter how a person got to where they are, or what they have, what matters is that you respect their ability to have succeeded.  Of course, if obtained illegally, that would be a totally different post.  But, for our purposes here, support, encouragement and positive feedback is your required response.  Not spite.  Spite is petty and reflects negativity back onto you.

We should all look in the mirror from time to time to determine just what kind of person we are, and what kind of person we want to be.  We can't claim to be good people if we practice spite and envy.  We can't claim to be good friends if we are constantly holding our friends down instead of lifting them up at all times possible.  The only business to us what other people have or gain is that we encourage continued good fortune for them, not question how it was obtained or doubt that it's real.  Be the person you want to see in others.

Getting back to conversations, they can be very tricky.  Sometimes tone is not always apparent, like with texting or with emails.  Often, tone is not apparent when you are speaking directly to the person.  I can not tell you how many times I've been in conversation with people when the delivery was questionable.  My perception of the conversation went way off track and my defense mechanisms kicked in.  Rather than address the issue at the time, I let it fester until I popped, only to find out that I had misinterpreted what had been said.  Hostility is another negative that our social culture is embracing.  Being bigger and better is becoming the central thought instead of being side by side....equal.  I'm not sure where this came from or why, but I do know that I personally make a conscious effort to not put myself above any other human being.  What someone has or doesn't have is irrelevant to me.  My reaction, in the form of sincere support and encouragement, is what my Universe will acknowledge and send back to me from others. 

Times are tough.  People are facing hardships.  Friends and family members are under stress.  We are all dealing with our own lives differently.  Give strength to someone who needs it.  Overcome despair by providing faith or hope.  Be the courage that a loved one needs.  I guarantee their perceptions of you will grow exponentially positive.  The encouragement and support you show those in your lives will reach to the far depths of the Universe and come back to you twofold.  Your life will be enriched by the positive energy your give.  Abundance will come to you from all directions.  Your energy will transfer to those around you and the contagious effects will be wonderful.  I will keep saying to the day I die, what you put out there is what you get.  Doubt, envy, and spite have no place in the world.  Dust off your ladders and lift each other to the stars!

Life's a beach, and then you live on one...