Perception vs. reality

Ever find yourself in a situation where you get momentarily “paralysed” just worrying about what that interview or leap that you’re about to take will cost you? How you fret over the possibility to making the wrong choice and perhaps live to regret your decision later?

Yes, we’ve all been there and yes, we’re reliving that same scenario, some more often than others. We’ve been through so many mistakes and “wrong turns” along the years that such fear can become crippling. Some experience it so badly that it becomes socially debilitating.

While the grass does appear greener on the other side, experience has shown us that sometimes that green grass turns dry too.

But let’s take a while to look at it from another perspective. Yes, all change, or the possibility of change is stressful. So, whether it be for good or bad, we will feel the stress. It’s just our mind and body preparing us for the “just in case” result.

However, if you consider that life is indeed just a fleeting moment, that the years seem to fly by at the blink of an eye, wouldn’t it be a waste not to have explored and gone for the green grass on the other side of the fence.

Remember the times when we were “young” and willing to take all sorts of risk just to experience life to the full? Well, have we now aged beyond wanting to experience life anymore? Or are we just scaring ourselves with the possibilities of failure?

See, there is a vast difference between perception and reality. Perception tells us to sit tight and just admire the possibilities because we might fail again or even end up in a more miserable position than we already are while reality tells us that we’re painting too much of a “what if” picture before we even take that first step.

So, by the end of it all, we have to make a choice – are we going to go through life living in fear until we die or will we allow ourselves to be young again, live life and yes, even make a few more mistakes along the way?

“I’m getting too old to make mistakes anymore,” you may say.

But what’s the alternative?

It is okay to continue making mistakes. Why? Because life’s too short not to.