When we are under stress, we regress to the behaviors that we are most comfortable with, the ones that we can do without conscious thought. In the middle of an argument, we may find we behave the same way we did with a former spouse or friend. When the boss calls us into their office, we may experience the same negative thoughts going through our mind as you did when you were younger and the boss chewed you out?
Our brain will selectively “pull in” sensory input and piece them together to form today’s reality based on yesterday’s experiences.
Remembering that your perception is your reality, what do you think of this sentence: Our perception is not only learned, it is also selective.
If we reacted to every stimulus that we encountered, we would be constantly overwhelmed. So we learn to filter out those stimuli that we deem are unnecessary or inappropriate to our situation. How often do you ‘tune out’ TV commercials? Or fast forward through them with your DVR.
When you see something you are unfamiliar with, how often do you relate it to something you already know?
How many times have you looked for something, only to have it in plain sight?
Ever notice how, after you purchase a car, you see many of the same car or made by the same manufacturer?
Have you ever thought highly of someone, ignoring their faults, until you have had a falling out …. Then you see everything you didn’t see before?
The more aware you are of your own triggers and those things that can “color your world” , the better equipped your are to handle the situation appropriately.
It’s not what your eyes saw, it’s what your mind thinks you saw.
