"Perception".

"a way of regarding, understanding or interpreting something; 

a mental impression.

synonyms;  idea, conception, thought, belief, impression, judgement, estimation...

This thought has been on my mind for a long time now, and I finally thought I would share
what it is that I have been thinking.  Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, and whatever
social media you choose to follow, are all avenues in which I find "perception" to be
somewhat of a problem.  Some of you have been visiting my blog for a while, and
I must tell you, that whatever your "perception" of me and my life may be, you most
likely surmised it from the words I share and the pictures I provide for each post. 
Therein could present a problem.  A first glance, these first three pictures appear
quite different from what they actually are, especially the first picture.  Instead, they
are taken at the Bass Pro Shop, where two little guys were in their glory.

Looking quite brave in their actions on this picture, one can quickly deduct that what they
see is not the real thing.  That is how we as humans are.  We look. We conclude quickly as
to what we see.  We immediately draw up our own conclusions, and then we walk away,
carrying with us, those conclusions as facts and reality.  That is truly what I see, and hear
from many different conversations and comments in regards to what people see on
social media.

For example, you may look at this set table from a dinner we hosted on Saturday evening, and
you may see my new goblets and think, they look like she may have purchased them from a
Crate & Barrel Store.  You may look at the glass plates on top of the white dinner plates and
deduct immediately that she has so many dishes, I wonder where she stores them all?
You may look at the red lanterns and think, "I can't believe she buys new lanterns just
to use for a dinner party!  You may deny having any of these thoughts, and that is good
for you, but many of us do have them.  When in reality...

~the goblets I did recently purchase from the Dollar Tree Store, for a 1.00 each, because
  I did not have twelve goblets to use.  I do think they are attractive and sturdy considering
  they are a dollar store purchase.

~the crystal plates are borrowed from my mother, to use for the evening.  I liked how
  they looked with the colors of the table scape.

~ the red lanterns are the ones we used in the church, when our oldest daughter got
   married years ago, and I enjoy pulling them out of the attic to use at Christmas
   and Valentine's Day.

So, there you see, that your perceptions, and my reality, are two totally different things!

Another perception you may get when you when you look at these pictures, is to think that
I can cook:), and that you are sure I must have served an amazing dinner!  Oh, how I wish that
was true.  I chose to use the same menu that our daughter served recently, at her dad's birthday
dinner, scrumptious, fall-apart pork tenderloins, and delicious potato/cheese casserole.  I
carefully followed the recipes that she so kindly shared with me.  But, for some unknown
reason, my pork did not fall apart, in fact, I had to get a sharp knife to cut it, and slowly
my heart was sinking, as the guests were waiting for their food.  The potatoes, for yet
another reason, were not the soft and the melt in your mouth quality of hers, which I was
also deducting, as my husband and I were filling the dinner plates, once again, bringing
my heart even lower.  So, you see, that sometimes, more often than we care to admit,
things are NOT as they seem to be.  Sometimes they are, but more often they are not.

You may look at this tray of desserts and think to your self, that they look so good!
Well, the blueberry ones were, the chocolate ones were not.  I was striking out at this
dinner party!  But, friends are gracious, and forgiving, and accepting, and isn't that a
wonderful thing?  We did have a fun evening together, despite the food.  And, there is
always the next time, where possibly I can redeem myself with the cooking.  I think
part of my problem with the meal could have been the intimidation I felt, knowing I
was preparing a meal for a group of very good cooks.  Do you understand???

I say all this, and share all this, to explain to you, why it is that "perception" can
constantly get us into trouble in our lives.  I close with this last example ...
I look so happy and relaxed on this picture that my sister took right before the dinner,
but inside me, I had checked my pork tenderloins right before the picture was taken,
and realized they did not turn out like they should have, and I was trying to decide at
that moment, whether I could run to the nearest restaurant and pick up another entrée
to serve.  Really, that is truth!!!

So, just remember, whatever it is you pick up from the enjoyment of looking at
social media, it just might not all be as it appears.  That is a fact of life!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and for giving me opportunity to share my heart
today, via examples of two little guys and wild animals, or with a Saturday evening
dinner party.