"Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change," said Wayne Dyer, who died of heart attack September 1st. Perception is something I discussed with my business partner, Drew Gerber, today. He is based in Budapest, Hungary where refugees are gathering. He calls it an opportunity. CNN calls it chaos. How do you see it? Before you answer, consider this other news story: this man gets pulled over for speeding and the state trooper's compassion drives him to tears. The man writes on Facebook, "I sincerely believe, in MOST instances, it is OUR ATTITUDE, OUR BEHAVIOR, OUR RESPONSE that dictates the officer's response." How do you respond? How do you solicit response?
- Where are you silencing yourself?
- Where do you step back from taking a risk?
- Where do you step back from expressing what's in your heart?
There's a fine line between speaking up for yourself, expressing what's in your heart, taking risk and impacting the same for another human being. How do you perceive what's right and wrong?
When you refuse to express what's true for you, will you blow your top one day in a fit of anger? Pressure builds over time, just like this natural "blowhole" in Hawaii created from water and volcanic rock recently featured on Headline News.
My business partner and I dance in the arena of public perception. Public relations is largely about perception. Some people call this art "spinning" and I like to simply call it storytelling. Perception simply is the stories we tell ourselves and those we share with others.
Reflect on the stories you share. Do they reflect your truth? Do they reflect the love, tolerance and understanding you wish to usher into the world? Or, do the stories you share (in some cases also called gossip) ignite rage, anger and division? It's up to you to say since you are the one perceiving your world. Choose your words wisely. Share what you choose with friends and if you're committed to public leadership, include your media friends. Include the news we absorb each day and choose the truth you see. Me? I choose to listen to good news - even when it's hard news. How about you?