“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” – Aldous Huxley

“And do not imitate this world, but be transformed by the renovation of your minds….” – Romans 12:2 (Aramaic Bible)

Every one of us gets immersed in our thoughts.  If you’re like me, sometimes it becomes hard to shut them off.

When it comes to WHAT you think about, have you ever gone deeper – thinking about WHY you think the way you do?

Perceptions are shaped and crafted in all stages of life, by your upbringing, the values that were instilled in you at a young age, and by life events and circumstances you were exposed to over time.  The people who we love and hold in high esteem have a way of innocently and unwittingly crafting our perceptions.  We can easily be swayed into thinking certain ways based on the perceptions held by parents, friends, experts, or people in authority.

When you think about WHY you think the way you do, can you begin to see what has shaped and molded your way of thinking?  No one comes into this world with their own perceptions, opinions, and viewpoints already intact.  This is so important, because often our own perceptions are limited – skewed and manipulated by what we have been taught, who we have chosen to believe, and by significant emotional events that have occurred within the context of our individual life and our interpretation of those events. 

When you think about HOW you think, the perceptions you hold that dictate and drive those thoughts, and you contemplate how those perceptions were crafted, you can begin to see how human imperfection, tainted circumstances, and misguided opinions have contaminated or corrupted your own personal, individual perceptions.   You can begin to see how what you have held in your own mind as truth could be indeed something very far from it.

Even scarier yet, think about how drastically your perceptions DRIVE your life.  Your view of the perfect relationship, your philosophies behind work and vocations, your stance on how to deal with hardship, your political and religious beliefs, and most importantly, the notions you hold about who you are as a person – your very own “self-perception” that drives how you see yourself as an individual.  If any of these viewpoints, opinions, or beliefs were shaped on false premises, misguided ideas, or tainted viewpoints, your very own thinking might be at the heart of all that seems wrong or troublesome in your life.

 Can you begin to see the importance of challenging your perceptions?

Dr. Wayne Dyer has often said, “Be open to everything and attached to nothing.”  Catch yourself when your perceptions are holding you down, limiting your thinking, and imprisoning your way of life.  When you are open to all possibilities, when you avoid being attached to a certain way of thinking, your mind starts to become aligned with learning and growth.

The Scripture verse above encourages us to stop imitating, complying, or relinquishing our thoughts to those that the world holds as truth, but to become transformed by the renewing of our minds.  A mind that is attached to one way of thinking can never become transformed or renewed.  A mindset that was formulated over time by imperfect human beings, flawed teachings, and skewed worldly viewpoints cannot and never will see things in the light of God’s will for us – the deeper truth behind why we are here.

Instead of holding fast to your own perceptions and convictions, learn to be a truth-seeker.  Seek opposing viewpoints, ideas, or the differing beliefs of others – looking for the truth and light that can be found within them.  

This can be such a tightrope walk!  Each of us has convictions that we stand for – that emulate our values and beliefs.  But we must ALWAYS stay open to seeking greater enlightenment, deeper truths, and looking at our life and our circumstances in a new and different way.

As you do this, incorporate deeper spiritual virtues like love, hope, giving, serving, forgiving yourself and others while pursuing the truth.  These things are steadfast and enduring – and by their nature reflect openness.

Today, I hope you think about WHAT you think about, but more importantly, analyze and evaluate what lies at the center of how those thoughts and perceptions were formed.  Challenge them daily, seeking truth versus opinion – always remaining open and never attaching, fixating or limiting your mindset into one particular thought pattern or way of thinking.

Always seek the truth – remembering that truth is never found by being close-minded.  Truth about yourself, your life, and your circumstances is revealed through openness – a willingness to look at all aspects, angles, and viewpoints – weighing each of them carefully without attachment.

Challenge your perceptions surrounding how you see yourself, how you view others, and those that drive how you go about living your life.  Be open to new ways of thinking about your circumstances, your problems, and about your own capabilities to overcome them.

Ask God for His wisdom – for insight into those perceptions you hold that are false and untrue – limiting who you are, the impact you can have, and the quality of your life as it unfolds.

As you think about WHAT you think about and WHY you see things the way you do and HOW those thoughts were formed in the first place, I pray you begin to see the value in challenging those perceptions and in the openness that is required by you to live a renewed and transformed life!

God bless!