#130 Perception makes some fantastic tales
October 21, 2023
There are two students in my class, Alex and Jamie, both from Fontana, USA. They went to the same high school and probably shared fries at the same local restaurant. If you ask them about their hometown, you'd swear one of them grew up in New York and the other in Austin.
Alex recalls Fontana as a bustling city with cars honking day and night and recalls being part of the high school rock band that once opened for an actual garage band. On the other hand, Jamie fondly recalls about the town's serene nature, with birds chirping harmoniously, seemingly forgetting the rock concerts Alex talks about. They do, however, agree on one thing: the town's name, Fontana, utterly ironic. Isn’t it?
What's fascinating is how two individuals from identical settings craft contrasting chronicles of their experiences. It’s as if everyone’s life is their very own personalized Netflix series – you might be living in the same house, but one sibling is in a drama, the other in a sitcom.
Cut to Mihika and Tushar, two other students in my class from Mumbai, India. Mihika will regale you with tales of monsoon school holidays, where everyone made paper boats and let them sail in tiny puddles. Meanwhile, Tushar is convinced he grew up in the Indian version of Hogwarts because he went to a school with a massive, ancient building, but he's still waiting for his magical powers to kick in.
The crux of the matter? Reality is like the toppings on a pizza; it's subjective. The base remains the same, but whether it's covered in mushrooms or pineapples (or both, if you're adventurous) is individual choice and perspective. Everyone, irrespective of where they come from, carries a personalized lens tinted with their experiences, values, and occasional daydreams. These lenses paint pictures that become our reality. And just like the debate about the best pizza topping will rage on, so will the narratives of our personal histories.
In the classroom, the office, or even at a random house party, it's always fun to hear these myriad tales of upbringing. While Alex might be convinced Jamie grew up with unicorns and Tushar is still searching for his wand, these stories reflect the beauty of perception. They remind us that the world is vast, diverse, and, most importantly, hilariously unpredictable. Everyone's right in their own right. Our memories aren't just recollections; they are seasoned, garnished, and occasionally deep-fried in our individual quirks, hopes, and dreams. It's like ordering a sandwich – same bread, wildly different fillings.
It's amusing to imagine that our realities can be so vastly different, even if our settings were the same. We're all directors of our own life's movie, choosing which parts to highlight, which to edit, and which to set to dramatic music. The next time someone narrates their version of a story you were a part of, grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy their blockbuster version of events.
After all, perception makes for some fantastic tales!
Take care, have fun, see you soon :)
Cheers!
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