Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Power of Perception

If someone were to come up to you and say, “For the next hour do not think of the color green,” guess what just became your one and only thought for the next hour? In fact, not only will you immediately think of the word green, you will be hopelessly engrossed in fighting off wave after wave of unconsciously pulled memories of every different shade of green and those objects and animals imbued with its color. This automatic response is in our nature, and it is our innate drive towards freedom and independence that compels us to think in this manner. Therefore, in my book, The Leaf Catcher, when I issue the challenge: “Can you go just one day without thinking a negative thought?” the sad truth is it is probably next to impossible not to even think a negative thought during the whole course of the day. However, when we become more aware of the amount of time and energy wasted as a result of these unproductive thoughts we put ourselves in a better position to consciously make an effort to turn these negative thoughts into more positive and productive ideas and actions.
The epiphany that the main protagonist, Corliss, has in the story that not only carries him through some of the greatest suffering a person could endure, but also finds him happily embracing his life is that most powerful of all mental concepts—perception. How we perceive, or rather how we choose to perceive, an event, person, place or thing, defines how we will experience our lives. What are some examples in your life where you were confronted with adversity and decided to turn it into something positive?

17 comments:

  1. Good stuff. Like the way your words come together. Good luck with writing and will follow your tweets too.
    Reggie

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  2. Interesting concept Dax. I am going to put The Leaf Catcher on my goodreads book to read :-)

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  3. This is a great post. And I can see you are a good writer, because your post is well-written. I comment on that, because so often people don't bother to write well on their blogs!

    I tend to look on the positive side - almost to a fault! But I have always been able to take adversity and turn it around. Like with rejection as a writer, I'd think, "Oh yeah? I'll show them!" and it motivated me to write more and to get better at it.

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  4. Dax! As a psychotherapist + writer, I love your concept. I am a big proponent of cognitive therapy which is fundamental to the mindset you are describing. I'm intrigued!

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  5. I believe in Agency. Our right as individuals, human beings to choose. I also believe that Agency does not grant us the right to choose every scenario of our lives, only the intrinsic way we each will choose to deal with the daily challenges of life.

    I'm a cancer survivor.

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  6. Thank you all for both your positive and insightful comments so far on this post! I enjoy the company of intellectuals such as yourselves.

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  7. It has been said that those in positions of power never let a good crisis go to waste. Why can't we ordinary folks do the same? If we seek out the upside to the downs, the opportunities misfortunes may present, then perhaps we would be able to find more gems as we go through life.

    A very thought-provoking post!

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    1. Thank you Paul,

      Well said, and this is exactly one of the main messages in The Leaf Catcher!

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  8. Interesting point. I'm going to look for your book now.

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    1. Thank you Shirley, I look forward to hearing what you think of The Leaf Catcher's story, its messages and philosophy!

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  9. Back when I began querying agents for my first book, I jumped into that dark part of the game like a champ. Smiles, big hopes and wild imagine-if's. But, as the rejections rolled in (as they do for so many of us, sadly) I felt the weight of disappointment and self-doubt settle in, like an unwelcome visitor. But, it forced me to turn my back on the empty, form rejections, and figure out why I was getting them. Because of that, I learned so much about the business, agents, and publishers, as well as what they're looking for during that initial contact period. It was my silver-lining moment. Now, when the rejections come, I look at them in a different light. A light that tells me it will happen when the time is right and the road is mine to travel. Great post.

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    1. Thank you C.L. I agree, as a matter of fact when I received my first rejection for my book I was actually excited because it felt like I was finally initiated into the world of professional writers. I would probably feel like I had missed out on an important part of a writers career, struggling through adversity, had I simply had my work accepted the first time out:)

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  10. Love this. It's amazing how much time we waste on negative thoughts... and what are thoughts? Nothing. I've just recently discovered that yes, we are able to control our thoughts--or, able to choose what we dwell on. So important to shove out the negative and choose to perceive the good. I think most people go through life without coming to this discovery... sad. Thank you for sharing this! I can tell you are one of those brilliant people ;)

    New follower... I look forward to your future posts! :D

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    1. Thank you Morgan,

      Yes, our thoughts are the one thing that, no matter if we are poor or unfortunate, we can control to enjoy the best quality of life we are able to.

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  11. It is an everyday thing. From the time you open your eyes to a brand new day, you have the choice to build it as one those the best days of your life, or a sad, mundane yesterday that you are too keen to forget. I agree with you, the magic lies in the conept of "perception" which defines our experience of life more than anything else.

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  12. Cognitive theory is definitely an interesting field of study. I recently changed my life just by changing my mind.

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  13. Sounds very intersting. I'll have to check it out...

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