The Power of perception

Photo by Devanath

In part one Ryan takes us through different scenarios and how they were handled by these historic figures. Life is in the battle of the mind and heart. We are often pulled in different directions when the body, mind and spirit cannot focus on one aim, cause or path. Our resolve and commitment to one thing and growth-promoting attitude are what will liberate us from the mundane. 
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Perception: 
''Our perceptions can be a source of strength or of great weakness.'' (Holiday., part I). How we see the world is how we will experience the world. The world is nothing but a mirror for us to look at ourselves. How we perceive world events and people will be what we experience. We cannot outdo our expectations garnered from our perceptions. Our perceptions of things and people can be the source of our joy of suffering. We get to decide. 

Recognize Your Power: 
Rubin ''Hurricane'' Carter, boxer 
''I know you had nothing to do with the injustice that brought me to this jail, so I'm willing to stay here until I get out. But I will not, under any circumstances, be treated like a prisoner.''' (Holiday., page 19). Rubin was wrongfully convicted. He didn't have the attitude, demeanour or expectation of a prisoner. He spent his time being in high esteem and battled for his cause with confidence. Most people in tough situations give in and allow the situation to control and change them. We must act like Rubin and control the situation at all cost, and to use the bad times for our benefit. Everything good and bad is working for our entire good. 

Stand Your Nerves: 
''What such a man needs is not courage but nerve control, cool-headedness. This he can get only by practice.'' - Theodore Roosevelt (Holiday., page 24). It's our nerves that get us in trouble. We can't examine and perceive things correctly if we allow our immediate emotions to make rash decisions out of fear and overreaction. We need to have a cool head as Roosevelt said, only then can we make decisions out of pragmatism and not out of fear. 

Control Your Emotions: 
''Would you have a great empire? Rule yourself.'' - Publilius Syrus (Holiday., page 27). How many times in life are our emotions running the show? All the time. Human beings allow their unexamined emotions to ruin their lives. Because we are not using to sitting with ourselves and understanding our triggers. We have to become the greatest students of ourselves and truly examine the being that is us. What others do is none of our business. The question, why do others control us so much? Because we give away our power. 

Practice Objectivity: 
''This happened and it is bad'' is two impressions. ''This happened'' is objective.  The second ''it is bad'' is subjective.'' (Holiday., page 32). What truly happened and what you perceived happened are two different things. The distinction is often not made and as a result, we get into a rough situation. Our inability to see the difference is at the source of all human suffering. Life happens to all human beings. We are not so special that we are exempt from life's happenings. We must accept life as it is and act according. 

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