The document discusses how our perception of reality is flexible and how we can trick our own minds. It provides examples of how optical illusions can make images appear differently with focused viewing. Our interpretation of situations can also distort reality, like when we imagine negative intentions from others based on a neutral expression. However, the document emphasizes that we have control over our own perceptions and can choose to view reality in a more positive light that is supportive of our goals and opportunities.
6. Most of us aren't used to looking at a
flat object as if it were in three
dimensions.
7. There's plenty of other images that are
specifically designed to "trick" the
mind.
8. Old ladies that suddenly morph into
young girls, a lamp that suddenly turns
into two people about to kiss, stairs
that go up in a loop, but really don't go
up at all.
9. One of the biggest tricks of the mind is
one we play on ourselves.
10. We can "negatively hallucinate"
something, meaning it's right in front
of us, but we can't see it.
12. Or we can think something is there,
when there's not.
13. Like when somebody looks at us with a
plain expression on their face, and we
read WAY too much into the situation.
14. The trouble is that we respond not to
reality itself, but our interpretation of
reality.
15. Even if our keys are right there, since
we can't see them, we'll keep looking,
and end up being late to wherever
we're going.
16. We could have talked to that person,
and turned their genuine neutral
feelings about us into something
positive, but since we imagined they
were angry or judgmental or whatever,
we never even held eye contact for
more than a split second.
17. The good news it that our perception
of reality is TOTALLY flexible, AND it's
TOTALLY up to us.
18. Do you think our keys really care if we
find them or not?
19. Even better, that neutral person would
LOVE for us to turn them into a
"positive-feelings" person, so they're
actually hoping we'll perceive them
differently than we have been.
20. This skill is rarely talked about, let
alone taught, but it exists, and learning
it is perhaps the most important thing
you can do.
21. Since there's so much "stuff' out there
to choose from, why not choose things
that support you?