I enjoy conversing about words that appear to be synonyms (especially in a crossword puzzle) but in reality can be great tools if used appropriately in different contexts. Let me share an example of how I differentiated two terms to avoid conflict.
I know it might seem like semantics, but I see a distinction between perception and opinion. A perception is what I see and how I interpret it; an opinion is what I do with the information I had obtained via my perception. An example- I’m replacing the carpeting in my den. I look at one and I perceive a shade of grey, someone else looks at it and sees a shade of green. Those are two perceptions. In my opinion, I like what I see and suggest we go with it, someone else wonders why I’d even consider that shade of green in my den. Thus, we have a difference of opinion. We might be able to debate our opinions, but I don’t have to defend my perception - what color I “see”. Of course, then my lovely wife comes along and says: “hardwood”. So we compromise and install hardwood. Have you ever been in a work situation where you offer a perception, but end up defending your opinion? An opinion is a view, or outlook or belief regarding something. It is also a judgment and thus can become an unintended debate. How often do you find yourself in a situation where you are being a judge based on your opinion? A perception on the other hand, is how we see things, our assessment - real or otherwise. It is defined by our discernment of what we see, or hear or feel. Often others attempt to get you to change you “opinion” by voicing their own. If successful, they have been reinforced for their influence and will habitually do so in the future if someone does not agree with them. It is this second aspect that holds much more in the way of control than sometimes we’d prefer. Keep in mind; they have changed your opinion…not your perception. Do not feel guilty or pressured into altering your perception. If it’s genuine, you are being true to yourself. Should we open our mouth and make a suggestion? Or will my words add more strife to this conversation. Should I make a recommendation based on what I see, or perhaps I don’t see it clearly so I’ll keep my mouth shut. One shouldn’t feel as though they need to defend their perception. A perception is not necessarily equated with final testimony, or a decision. One’s perception is often sought to add more information to a decision making process and thus, that perception is not only valid it is valued. Feel free to offer your perception and label it as such. When someone offers me a perception it makes me think more, if they offer an opinion I tend to compare it to my own. There’s a big difference between adding information (perceptions) prior to a decision and comparing opinions between which one must decide I’m not talking about the age-old debate pitting optimists against pessimists. “Is the glass half full? Or half empty?” One of my science friends responds: It’s 100% full. Half of which is liquid, the other half a gas. Or, in the words of one of my favorite minds of all times - George Carlin – the glass is the wrong size. Though humorous, that statement provides the impetus for us not to choose sides, but rather look at it totally different. Too often, people seem to want to “pick a side”, or be on the popular or winning team. Perception is not about keeping score, it’s about making observations. Just recently my daughter provided a unique perception. I felt a bid old as I sent her a note to celebrate her 39th birthday. Instead, she sees it this way: “Dad, let’s celebrate your 39th anniversary of holding your first-born child”. Ah perceptions….!!
4 Comments
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11/16/2022 09:42:44 am
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