Patti's Philosophical Ponderings

PERCEPTION: Now, that's an interesting word. Do you all know what all that it really means?? That's why I picked this cute Maxine cartoon this month. You know, just because you believe something, that doesn't mean it is necessarily so. I've always loved the Christian saying that states "the Bible is the true Word of God whether you believe it or not". In other words, us believing it doesn't make it true and us not believing it doesn't make it not true. It doesn't depend on our belief to make it the truth. Are you confused yet?

The dictionary defines perception as "the process of using the senses to acquire info about the surrounding environment or situation; an attitude of understanding based on what is observed or thought; the ability to notice or discern things that escape the notice of most people.

The last part of that definition is very misleading because discernment is sometimes the opposite of a perception. Discernment is a keenly selective judgement. Some have the "gift of discernment" and some do not. There are false perceptions and some are not.

I am always amazed at how several people can be sitting in the same room, all hearing the exact same thing, let's say from a speaker for instance; then, you will hear several different versions of what was said depending on the perceptions of those in attendance. The funny thing is that those perceptions may be as different as night and day and though some may be accurate, some are not at all. Perceptions are not necessarily true.

I'll give you an example: There's a teacher teaching a college class. Out of the group there are some very rude people talking while he is teaching. He is competing with loud voices, laughter, and one of them pointing to the clock on the wall very impatiently, etc., After trying to teach above din, he very gently, lays down his book and speaks to the whole group and says in a normal tone of voice, firmly but without anger, "I have spent much time getting ready for this and did so even though I've had only a few hours sleep last night due to a medical emergency in the family. Now, if this is a waste of time for some of you, I will be glad to cancel early and resume this at a more appropriate time. Then he dismisses the class and tells them that he will resume it next week. Well, those three that were rude—one slammed his chair against the table, the other started gossiping to the person next to her about the teacher and the third walks out silently fuming and giving dirty looks. Everyone else just left, some puzzled but others as if nothing happened. Of those three, one goes and tells everyone that the teacher yelled & screamed at everyone, the second one said that he just droned on & on, and the third came back the next meeting and apologized. After questioning others that were in that class, they said that the teacher didn't even raise his voice one iota and was very nice when he spoke. They felt he was very tired and was trying very hard to make the best of the accentuating circumstances.

NOW, the question is this: Whose perceptions were the right ones?

I hope that the above illustration gives understanding. Some perceptions are based on falsity or half-truths; some are accurate. Some, with false perceptions may actually believe they are true. What's that saying, "They've lied so much, that they're starting to believe their own lies." So, even though something may be "their perception", it's still a lie, nevertheless. Also, I've heard people say that, "Person A is on this end and Person B is on that end and the truth is somewhere in the middle".

Maybe that's true is some cases but not all. It very well could be that Person A is telling the truth and Person B is a liar. I believe a lot of that depends on what's going on in the person's life at the time and maybe something that was "set in stone" way in their past. Wouldn't it be nice if we could walk in a grocery store or up to a buffet line and just pick out just those things that we needed to be whole? On-line shopping would be a great way to fulfill those empty places.

How many really realize their shortcomings and/or barriers and truly know what they need? Sadly, these are usually the ones that never "see the forest for the trees" or seem to think that they never do anything wrong. They are the experts—they know better than everyone else. Put them together in a room with a real expert on a certain subject and they will monopolize the conversation, talk over everyone else and intimidate others. You think, "Don't they realize that they are annoying most people that can see thru their façade?" Even so, some people can still be fooled by this. We can try as we might to help someone with this need, but they see it as an attack. They just don't get it! Did anyone ever see that program, "Intervention"? Sometimes, intervention isn't enough. Some of those poor people need a deliverance in the way of an exorcism— (and I am not being sarcastic, I'm serious).

There was once a guy that we knew, who, if you didn't agree with him on even one point, you were the enemy. In other words, you couldn't agree to disagree. It was his way or no way. Have you ever known someone such as the above? Sometimes the best way to deal with these kind of people, if they refuse other "tried & true" ways, is from a distance. Even though, that may seem unkind to some, sometimes it's the most loving thing you can do for a person such as this. Of course, if you believe in prayer, that's a must. You can't hate someone if you're able to pray good things for them.

Well, that's my teaching for this month. I can't help it. It's one of my "spiritual gifts". Bytheway, how many of your are familiar with the spiritual gift teaching and test? If your church, Bible study, club, etc. has never done this, it would be a great idea to start one. Every fellowship and board would be smart to do so. Too many people are trying to move in someone else's gifting and it never works out right. It causes lots of problems for everyone involved and it has a negative snowball effect—in some cases, a catastrophe. Not everyone in an organization is called to be the leader. Not everyone is called to be the servant.

Hey, this might be a good subject to approach next month. Give me some feedback on this, HCE members. At least, tell me some things that you would like to see here. We have been handing out questionnaires for our members. If you haven't filled one out yet, please ask one of the board members in your unit for one. We do care about what you want to read about.