Reality - And your beliefs system

What is reality?

 Everyone has a different explanation and that would seem appropriate because each of us sees the world in our own unique way. Just look on Facebook when it comes to Politics. I am betting you have friends who agree with the way this Country is run and those who disagree each firmly believing they are in the right. But can both be right at the same time?

We have been taught all our lives that there is a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things. Do you think that the "terrorists" believe they are the bad guys? If so, then you better think again. Do you believe that the reason for the Civil War was solely based on Slavery? If so, you better think again. Do you believe that the doctors, politicians, and companies have your best interest in mind? If so, you better think again.

Everyone believes to some extent they are doing the right thing, based upon their own values and beliefs. If England had won the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold would have been considered our  hero. Our Founding Fathers would have been executed as traitors perhaps labeled as terrorists themselves. Wow and We Wouldn't have known any better would we? All of our history books would talk about the bands of terrorists roaming the countryside attacking England's villages and killing the King's loyal servants. Oh yes, history is always written by the victors and life would surely be different today, but we wouldn't know any different.

So, what should we believe?

What do you want to believe?

Working for sales company in my earlier years the employees were required to attend a diversification seminar. We were basically instructed not to judge others of diverse backgrounds. Now there was some discussion going on between the instructor and the groups. One fellow of an African-American background told the group the reason his sales were down is because of the color of his skin. He said that his white customers didn't trust him.

I remember about a new middle school built in Richmond where I use to live. It was build without windows in the classrooms. The teachers complained that the students were busy daydreaming and staring out the windows instead of learning the material. So they made the school look more like a prison and remove the windows in the classroom.

What do those two examples have in common?

The biggest problem is seeing the situation as external instead of internal.

I wondered what my black friend would say about all of the black CEOs? Millionaires? Doctors? Lawyers? Politicians? Athletes? Movie Stars? Singers? Dancers? And an American PRESIDENT? How did they achieve such high status in a country composed of more white people than any other race?

When I was in sales if my customer was looking out his window while I was presenting my material then I would know he wasn't paying attention to me. He is telling me that what I am saying doesn't interest him. Perhaps it is the product or more importantly it is how I am presenting the product. Am I making it interesting to him, or am I just going through the motions? If I am just going through the motions then I am not going to be in sales very long. Is this any different when it comes to teaching? The best friend a teacher has are those windows! If her students are constantly looking outside then her material or more importantly her delivery of the information is probably boring the students to tears. So what does she do? Change her delivery or remove the windows?

Don't blame others for your laziness.

It takes work to make the material any material interesting. You may need to take some breaks during the lecture. Young minds (and old one's too) can only remain attentive for 15 minutes at best.

The black salesman seeing a white customer has more than likely pre-judged the man as not trusting him or going to buy from him. What kind of sales presentation do you think he is going to make?

If you believe the problem resides outside yourself, then you must believe others must change for you to be happy. Well, that ain't gonna happen! "Sorry teachers but I had too *S*"

The first step is changing how you think things are which is called your belief system. Your actions closely follow your belief system. So how do you change it? First of all, you must recognize that what you believe has not necessarily been yours, but the culmination of misinformation you have picked up from others along the way. Now remember, they are only teaching you what has been taught to them. So how do you undo it all?

Follow me to Reality Lesson 2 and we will explore why we cling so hard to our beliefs even though many times we know some of them do not serve us.

Namesté

Barry Brown, Author