Our minds filter our reality through the stories we have experienced and the lessons we have learned. If you’ve ever watched a video on Facebook or Instagram and then scrolled through the comments, you’ve probably noticed a wide range of reactions. Some people respond with laughter and encouragement. Others are afraid or quick to judge.
Imagine a video of a dog coming face to face with a coyote. Some people may immediately feel fear for the dog, while others may wonder if the animals will form a bond. One person sees danger. Another sees friendship. The video has not changed; just the lens through which everyone looks at it.
Everyone brings their life experiences, emotions and ideals to every situation. Therefore, two people can witness the same event and later remember different details. One person might focus on the excitement in the room, and another on the tension between two people standing in the corner. Neither is wrong: they’re just looking through their own filter.
Now think of two colleagues in the same meeting about a change in management. One leaves inspired by new opportunities, while the other feels uncomfortable with the unknown. Although the two people heard the same words, they interpreted them differently.
People use their life experiences to understand the world around them. What we see in the world is often a reflection of what is happening within us. Our experiences, emotions and energy determine the way we interpret the world. Every thought and emotion has its own vibration and influences the way Qi moves through us. By becoming aware of that connection, we gain insight not only into how we see, but also into who we are in each moment.
You see what you want to see – or perhaps what your energy wants to show you. When we cultivate inner harmony, the world around us reflects that peace.
See the good
If you see what you want to see, can you train yourself to see the good? Rules of Life: Can You See the Good?