The theory of perception

A part of us is what we perceive to be.
A part of us is what others perceive us to be.
Which is the real 'us' and what percentages work best for a peaceful life?

The other day I was trying to convince somebody on why it is ok for a brahmin to marry a non-brahmin, and how all human beings are born equal and deserve equal respect. Can you guess the results of my attempt? Na, I could not convince...

And then there was this argument on whether females should work outside of the home or not, and yet again, I failed to convince the person.

These things got me thinking, how/when and whether our perceptions should change. Yes, agreed that, whatever we are, our life is based on our set of values and perceptions about life and world. As our values change, we change as a person. But exactly when we start becoming better or worse, it is difficult to judge.

I am watching myself changing perceptions as I have grown and migrated from village to town to city to abroad and all the way back again (I still live in a village, a small town, a town and a city to get a feel of all). Whether all of them were for good, I can't say. But yes, as a person I have changed, definitely. For better or worse, nobody can say, because these things are so relative and vary from person to person, nobody can make a judgement or concluding remark.

I think the core set of values/perceptions never change though, and probably they make the 90% of the person who we are. And the 'social' values that is the remaining 10%, keeps on changing. All the problem starts when we focus on the 10% rather than the 90%...

Anyway, the point is, as our perceptions make us what we are, it is so difficult to convince people otherwise. Even if most of the world thinks that it is a wrong perception, it is still difficult to convince the person. Reason may be, as the perception changes, the person has to change, and it becomes extremely difficult when there is no willingness. One has to let go of her identity and become another person altogether, it is surely not easy. But sometimes, it might be the right thing to do.

So, go ahead and embrace change for better...whenever that is the right thing to do, that causes less pain to somebody and that embraces humans.


Change is inevitable, and change there will be, we have to decide our course - for it or against it - in all aspects of life.

My theory of perception is, see everybody's perception and empathaize, that helps to understand the person and handle the situation in a better way.

An inspirational quote to start the new year

Disclaimer: it is not my creation.

I don't remember where I had seen this or who wrote it, came across it while browsing through some old collection of quotes (college time hobby).

And as expected, got inspired by it - once again.



To dream the impossible dream,
To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow,
To run where the brave dare not go,

This is my quest to follow that star,
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far.

To fight for the right without question or pause,
To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause.



Best wishes for the new year!

May this year bring us peace which is not at the cost of innocent lives.
And may we have the courage and the wisdom to defend us and punish the criminals conspiring against our country.