For many people looking at these two weather reports and choosing where they would rather be, would appear to be an obvious and universal choice. For the record, I live in and love both places, just at different times of the year. I am in the – 29 Mont Tremblant by choice. Lots of people would choose 27 and sunny by choice. When I see -29 and sunny, I Perceive it to be a great thing, I Think oh great, I feel (Emotion) happy and my actions( Behavior) are to go outside and snow shoe or ski. Another person, ( many), will PERCEIVE -29 to be awful, THINK oh this is awful, too cold, FEEL sad or down and stay inside.(Behavior)
Both are reactions to the same information. This way of perceiving our world is important to all of us every day, because it literally shapes the way, we think, feel and behave. During times when facing an Unthinkable Event, I believe it becomes even more important to become aware of our perceptions of what is going on because once we are aware we can change our filters(,Perception) which changes our thoughts, which changes our emotions and our actions.
Let me give you an example. Our dog Ruffus, likes to chase deer. Let’s say he goes off chasing deer, up the snowy mountain after those deer he goes and disappears. I can Perceive that this is a threat to losing him(filter), I will think ” oh god Ruffus is gone and will never come back, I will feel ( emotion ) panicky and scared, and I will act,(behave) like a frantic person whose dog is lost. OR
Ruffus can go up the snowy mountain after those deer and disappear. I can Perceive that he is doing what dogs and Irish Wolfhoundsdo, I will think oh boy, ahh Ruffus is having fun being a hound, I will feel(emotion) happy for him and I will look forward(behavior) to his return from his adventure.
Nothing changes between the two experiences except the way I perceive the incident.
Try this little exercise with yourself. Pick a simple situation. Notice how your perception. leads to your thoughts, leads to your emotions, lead to your behavior( actions) Now, change your perception ( you don’t have to believe the change, just change it) now notice your thoughts, emotions, and behavior. I suggest that you practice this first with small events and then with more emotionally charged situations. Notice how your emotions and actions change according to your filters.
As always, I hope this has been helpful.
All the best,
Coach Susy
Susy Giddy is a Life Coach. One of her specialties is helping clients who are facing adversity and challenges in their lives, if you or some one you know needs some help, she can be reached at
https://calendly.com/coachsusygiddy