Reader's Profile

How does your profile compare to others?

1. Complete your profile.

2. Look at the group's profile (everyone who has completed this profile).

3. Reflect on the results.

After you have studied the group's profile, reflect on the following questions:

1. What do you notice about the overall profile of all the readers?

2. What jumps out at you?

3. What are you intrigued by?

4. What do you want to learn more about?

How do I see the World?

Obviously, we are each living and operating together in the world. Every day we make plans, move about and, as a result, encounter each other in a wide variety of ways. In fact, much of life seems to just ‘pop up’ in front of us – and, then, we have to deal with it…

When something happens in our life, especially when it brings us into contact with each other, there are a variety of things that occur to help us make sense out of our experiences. Our perceptual processing – our ways of thinking – are normal pathways we all use to make ‘meaning’ out of what happens to us.

As odd as it seems, the same situation can elicit very different meaning – can be interpreted differently – by each person involved. Often, I think that everyone else is experiencing things the way that I am. Somehow, I already know that is not the case…and here’s an example:

Thirteen people witness an auto accident…

How many versions of the story do you get?

If you said ‘thirteen’ (at least), then you already understand how different perception operates in our daily lives. In short, perception is our reality – and everyone’s perception is ‘unique’ to them. Consequently, it is our perception of what happens that very much influences all of our relationships in the world. Understanding how perception works can go a long way in promoting increased understanding, learning, and healthy interactions, especially between people who are different from each other.

I appreciate you taking time to walk through this journey of understanding how perception shapes our lives…and to recognize that we each have a responsibility ‘to choose’ how we respond to each other – and to situations in our world.