Friday, May 28, 2010

perception....

So for a while now I have been thinking a lot about perception. How we perceive people to be compared to who they really are is an interesting thing. When my friend Jennifer came to visit we talked about this a lot. Maybe how we are seen on our blog is not who we really are or maybe how people perceive us is not how we really are. Lately I have found this to be true. How people see me isn't always really who I am. I was told 4 times in the last 2 weeks that we must eat super healthy because Tim is a doctor and I work out. Has anyone seen my cupboards full of goldfish crackers, Doritos, and other preservative filled foods? Yes we do try to eat healthy but we fail a lot and sometimes I resort to whatever is eaiest.

I have been thinking a lot about how people (including me) just assume things about others that either are or aren't true. We think, "oh they have a nice car they must have money", "they only eat things that grow in the ground they must be super healthy", "there kids are always perfect, they must be the perfect parents"..... how do you perceive others by the "material" things?


Here are some things to think about:

So how do we become more transparent? Do we need to be more transparent? Do we parent different if people are watching? How do we speak to our husbands? Do we make it seem as if we have it all together when we don't? Is perception a bad thing? Does it really matter how people perceive us.... or does it all matter about our hearts?

So who are you really? Does God see the same thing as other's see?

5 comments:

Los Claytons said...

whoa! Deep thoughts. So important! I know I have perceptions of people based on their material possessions. I often catch myself wondering how people view me...and thinking they really just have NO idea!

For me, it seems like life is a bit of a mess but I "act" like I've got it together. Why do people do that? hmmmmm...

Rebekah Hanke said...

That really is something to think about...thanks for sharing!

Meredith said...

Hey girl! What a great post. I have thought about these things often. Actually I haven't blogged in several weeks and it has made me feel like a failure. The reason? Because I "perceive" that Mom's who have it together take beautiful pictures, do fun things, have fabulous friends to do them with, etc........it has me overwhelmed. So, my attitude and self talk go down the drain. You're so right about perceptions and I'm glad you two girls feel the same way. Now back to reality and trying not to care about those perceptions! Hugs!!

The Bagley Bunch said...

Dude, yeah...we are tooootally human and this is so easy to do! I have had to catch myself repeatedly doing this very thing and then realizing you will never reeeally KNOW what is going on with someone...their thoughts, their true motives behind their actions, their secrets...but you know what I'm ok with that. God knows and all we can do is rest in that and love on one another (without sounding too hippee-y ;). Good perspective girl ;)...and great post! Definitely got the "wheels turnin' " :). Love ya!

Anonymous said...

And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, and said to them, "whoever receives this child in my name recieves me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me: for he who is least among you all is the one who is great."
Luke 9:46-48
In today's society we are taught to be so competitive.. that we have to be better than the next person, happier, more put together..we praise ambition and success. But why are we setting our standards of success& happiness by what other people have or do. We as moms/women..really fall into this comparison trap! I think we all need to reevaluate why we do certain things..are we doing them to look good in someone elses eyes?? I am really trying to become the type of person who is just "me" and to always be "me" no matter who is watching.. which is proving to be "work"..but it's worth it and the more I can just accept me for me.. the less I care how others may perceive me...and the happier I am with life! I think we all need to stop comparing ourselves to others and when we do we can truly enjoy the joys of life that God intended for us!