Our perceptions…it’s amazing how different we all are in the way we see life.  Something may be beautiful to some and not so beautiful to another.  A garden full of wildflowers may be the joy to someone’s heart and to another look like a bunch of weeds. Our perceptions mold our lives but how wonderful to be able to get beyond just our own perception and become open to seeing a bigger picture. Once that person who thought the garden was full of weeds ‘sees’ the view of another and opens up to it, it becomes a different garden…a garden full of beautiful flowers.

Our perception isn’t the only perception to be seen.  Understanding others’ perceptions will give you a more open approach to life.

When Mom was a little girl, her mom had her walk to the grocery store with a list.  Mom was eight years old and walked two miles.  She loved the walk except through Parker Park.  That is where the drunks hung out with their paper-bag-covered bottles, slurring and yelling out to her as she ran through the park. It scared her.  No one ever tried to hurt her but they were scary none the less.  One time she told her mom, “I can’t get your groceries…I’m afraid of the park.”

Her mom took her by the hand and said, “You can’t run away from what you’re afraid of. How about I walk you through?”

So Mom and Gannie walked hand in hand through the park, but it had a completely different look with Gannie walking beside her.  The men still yelled but Gannie yelled back, “Good afternoon, Mr. Peabody.  I’ll let your wife know I saw you.” Or “Hello, Ben.  Marvin will give you a call.” It completely changed Mom’s view.  These men were down and out, not scary and mean.  These men were friends of her mother and father, not strangers that were out to get her.

Gannie walked her up to each one.  “This is my daughter and she comes through the park every time I need groceries. Could you watch out for her?” Each one nodded and felt as if Gannie had asked a solemn vow that they had to take. Just seeing another’s perspective changed everything.

Gannie told her, “I would never put you in harm’s way. It’s important not to assume you know what someone is like.  Step aside from being afraid and see what it feels like from in here.”  She tapped Mom’s chest. Mom said that little lesson has served her well all of her life.  She doesn’t judge a book by its cover.

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