Perception

People generally see what they look for and hear what they listen for
(to kill a mocking bird).

Ever wondered why things that appear criminal to us seem to leave others uninterested?
Perception is the ultimate example of how subjectivism exists in our every day lives.
For example vegans and vegetarians cannot understand how people who eat meat are guilt free if they know how animals have been treated before killed and packaged,
On the other hand those who do eat meat do think that it is cruel to kill animals but believe it is vital for their diet therefore that need is superior to the animal's wellfare.

Perception is very interesting to look at in personal and professional relationships.
We often see how people in  relationships who have a totally different view, or rather perception, get angry, offended etc for different things and don't realise often why the other person gets angry or upset with certain behaviours.

At work for example we see how people see it is ok to ask collegues personal questions as they don't seem to see it as offensive where it can be actually pretty rude.
Perception is a result of many factors eg: personal, experiential, social etc. We see how women have different perceptions of what is required to be done in order to have a succesful relationship whereas men's views differ.

We also see that culture can have an effect on  the perception of people. What is acceptable in one country is not in another.
But perception can cause many problems most probably in communication in interpersonal communication. This includes all types of relationships.

We see how generations are in constant conflict in ideological issues and how big generation gaps can be huge. It is often that we see parents that do not understand their childrens needs and consider funny or unimportant what their children do.
But I have often found that perception is linked to relativity. How see things is relative for each of us. Things that we see as good eg a meal might not be for someone else. I always find interesting when someone says words to me such as : good, bad, hot, cold, beautiful, how I get different answers from different people. This is why things are relative for each of us.
My favourite and most obvious example of different perceptions is the half full/empty glass.
Some see it as full others as empty. This is a very easy example of how different people can see things differently.


Perception though is much more complex that whether a glass is half full or not. If perception differs so much in terms of the glass imagine how much more complex it may be in interaction.
Perception and relativity as much as it can be a reason for creating many problems can also be vital in our lives.
Imagine a world where we all see things in the same way, think in the same way.
Every single relationship we would create
would look like a repetition of the last,
We have friends which we value amongst all for the unique way which they see things and their views which we usually ask for their opinion and advice.
Imagine how flat the world would feel if we were all the same. This does not create happines. Being the same does not ensure a better world as the sickness that is implanted inside of us would be so much greater.

Think of how perception can make all people dislike one person and vice versa. If all people liked the same things, rejected the same things, and if all negative traits within a personality were present in all people.
However many issues the subjectivity within perception creates, it is an unavoidable factor which does make life a little more interesting.
Imagine going out on a first date? If all people  shared a perception that would not make them very interesting to meet as you would allready know what they are like.
How much fun does this take out of meeting a new person for the first time, dicovering them and discovering you with them?

However many issues difference in perception may create, it equally not only resolves others but makes the world much more interesting in our every day interactions and experiencing people.
Except when we meet arseholes - in that case you just want to wack them.



picture source: http://peterskeltonnlpcoach.com/is-your-glass-half-empty-or-half-full/istock_000014644345xsmall-glass-half-full/
http://yoga-sutra-comment-eng.blogspot.gr/2013/06/samadhi-assemblage-point-and-gestalt.html

http://www.riskmanagementmonitor.com/author-dan-gardner-talks-risk-decisions-and-psychology-at-the-2012-rims-canada-conference/

The Guardian Angel and Azazel

Angels and demons are not creatures in the bible.
They exist. From the day we are born we are surrounded by them. I remember being told when I was young
that we all have our guardin angel who sits next to us when we are asleep.

It was only till later in life I realised that guardian angels and Azazel are the people who are part of it.
I have met few angels. Not necessarily my own but they are around us. I have seen them. In the faces of those who care for those in need.
Those who are conscious of the harm we cause in nature.
Those who give their lover to the homeless and those who care for sick and stray animals. Even in the faces of those who have only little and yet share what they have with others less fortunate than them.

There are angels around us but we don't notice 'cause their wings and halo's are invisible. We are used to identify angels as something holly up in heaven - creatures looking down on us but how else do we call those who look out for us, save us, do good?
We each find our guardian angel in different places and faces. That of a mother, a friend, a lover. Sometimes we do not even realise we have one in our life till it is too late.



Ofcourse there cannot be a world of guardian angels without the existense of Azazel in our lives.
I have come across too many in  different forms.
They usually disguise themselves and look like well intentioned friends and family. Which is quite unfortunate 'cause family you don't get to choose and quite frequently are made to put up with those mean bastards.

Those who are two faced, those who create wars. Those who harm people and animals without a second thought.
I have in my life seen Azazel hidden inside many. Im sure you all have - he is usually behind a smilling face or an attractive person. You would be surprised to discover he is even behind that person who laughs frequently and is sociable - the one you can never imagine is such a fake, mean person.
The ones who cannot bear to see you in bliss and happy and try to ruin it for you even by their actions without limiting themselves to words.


Azazel like angels, do not always appear in human form.
I am fortunate enough to have two guardian angels in my life. One in a human form and one in a non-human form, hairy, big eared and foot cocker spaniel.

Im sure if you give it some thought you will too can think of at least one guardian angel that yo have met and many Azazels......

picture source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/523754631639451077/
http://mzrkart.deviantart.com/art/Azazel-356559323

Ghosts

Nothing haunts us like the past.
Although ghosts have been often the object of fear for the little ones, hidding under the beds,
 as we get older the ghosts seem to be more terrifying and persistent, not leaving with dawn!

Whether you believe in ghosts in the metaphysical sense or not, you cannot ignore the ghosts you create growing up.
Whether that is the fear of dying alone which we see as the main drive in many people who get married to people they don't love or the unforgiving feeling on the things we haven't or have said to people, the ghosts we create are a personal responsibility.

The ghosts are different for everyone. Outspoken people are hardly haunted by things they haven't said opposed to introverts for example as they usually speak their mind. Although I must say being an outspoken person myself, something that doesn't get said, can bug you for all eternity.


 Insecure people I have seen are most commonly haunted by thoughts of being alone, not being liked, regardless of the fact if they like or not the other person. Insecure people I have found to be the most common examples of these 'haunted' personalities as they usually do things to please others in order to be liked or buy other's love as they think they are not worth it. Insecure people are most commonly haunted by their own insecirities as it creates many issues and feelings of loneliness, unacceptability, worthlessness etc. These are usually the type of people who create their own shit storm and then cry when it rains shit!


Ofcourse all types of people have their ghosts and they differ for everyone.
 The most creative types seem to carry them with them hidden in dark corners of their minds. Creative peole seem to be tornmented by the ammount of intelligence they have and we have seen such examples in the cases of many artists which have unfortunately lost it and left us far too soon (eg: Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain etc). Creative people are very much similar to the idealist and well read individuals with a high sense of social responsibility and equality issues.

I have been thinking in the past that the more knowledgeable and well read someone is, the more depressed they must be, being aware of the things that are happening eg: politics, social issues etc. The unaware are happier in their own little world. Of course these are educated, creative individuals who have a sense of social responsibility and not the type that is interested in making money in all costs.

Ofcourse ghosts may be of emotional states. I have experienced through the relationships of friends how an old friend, ex partner or things we have said can haunt us to eternity. This ofcourse all linked to people we once cared about. There must be at least one thing we have regreted  to have said or not in our life, even the people we did not set straight when we should have and decided to be the ones who will not drop to the other person's level.

Turns out the only good thing that comes out of not giving shitheads a mouthful is that you make it easy for the shithead. Letting them off easy instead of making them hear what an arse hole they are.
This works the other way as well. Ghosts can be the things we did do, like not treat people who deserved it better although this does not have the same emotional gravity as we don't exprerience pain and these usually turn to feelings of regret rather than ghosts.



Ghosts can be mean little fuckers. They can sneak up one day and start following you around. If you are the ocd type, you are fucked. Can't get those out of your mind even when you sleep!!!!
They are like a fucking curse.
The ghosts we each have inside us are different for each one of us. We create them ourselves as we are not born with them, like phobias. We are responsible for creating them, keeping them and killing them ourselves. No one make you feel guilty, do things that make you guilty or not feel bad about your actions.

We are the creators of our own shitstorms and responsible for the ghosts we bring to life by what we do and how we go about our relationships.




picture source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/12384967699530997/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/372813675377266319/

Vampires

This isn't much of a jolly post - nothing 'Christmassy'!

But it is something I have been giving a lot of thought in the past few months from stuff  that has been happening around me, stories I have heard from friends and past experiences.

Vampires for me are something very different to the 'creatures of the night' the so called 'faithful' call and arre scared of. For me vampires is something alot scarier than that, people you interact with everyday:your boss, co-workers, in laws and so on and are well disguised with the best intentions.
I have recently found that friends or rather so-called friends can be vampires to.

Now how can vampires be associated to people?
Well for starters I don't think all individuals are human.
Secondly, some people suck the energy out of you like vampired feast on blood.  It might not be as grotesque or at least not visibly but it is worse because you don't realise it is happening!

I have in the past encounterest people who I didn't realise till too late they
would be jealous of a success or relationship I may have had at the time or even
could not even stand the thought that you were happy and they could not feel
any joy in their lide (regardless of the fact you had nothing to do with their misserable little life).

Mother in law Vampire!

Mothers in law are a classic. To be fair there are some super dooper mothers in laws you feel so lucky to have but then...... there are the other oness. The 'I want to make you so miserable cause you took my son away from me- you good for nothing whore' ones.Im sure not only married women can relate but also poor ex girlfriends.
This woman for some reason is ever so nice to everyone else- a little fuckin' angel that makes it impossible for you to complain about because you will come off as the bad one!

Now the boss Vampire.
The assohole who for some reason is always a man or woman -doesn't really matter which - isn't getting any at home and will make sure you don't either by taking out all your fucking energy, making you work overtime and ensure you get home nakerd.
The boss-vampire is the kind that will make you regret being there, ruin your enthusiasm for work and will make your imagination run to dark places of the things you want to do to him/her and the pain you want to inflict upon them.
The boss vampire is the type that will suck out all your positive energy and will for work and creativity and will make you look repeatedly at your watch till its time to mentally stick up your middle finger to him and leave for home.
Ofcourse if you are in a freelance area of work this goes for the people that hire you! Don't for a second think you will enter a arse-hole free zone - ahahhahha!

The friend vampire!
The friend vampire is for me different types of people. There is always the one that you don't realise is an actual frenemy and not really your friend. The type that is gealous of your success and trying to constantly put your enthusiasm down with the sole purpose of making you feel as miserable as them. These people feed off your misery, unhappiness, misfortune. Like the vampire gets energy from blood, the frenemy gets that from sucking out every little bit of positive energy. The person who will not let you get a taste of your success, excitement for your new job or when you meet the love of your life. These people feel true happiness and bliss to see you in misery and sadness but will appear ever so supportive to make sure you never are happy!
This is the same with relatives as well! Constantly making you the black sheep of the faamily and questioning your dress style, your new boyfriend, lifestyle choices etc.


The second category are actual friends, well intentioned and faithful.
Thes poor arseholes are anything but frenemies, will be there when you need them and are genuily happy with your successes.
BUT!!!! Sometimes they can suck out so much energy from you that you wouldn't believe. Now you might wonder - how can this be possible for such people?
I'll tell you right now and Im sure you will relate at some point!
There is the friend that is always depressed (commonly not for any particular or serious reason eg: starvation, health problems etc). The person you have known and since day one have never heard them say they are doing ok, they are well etc.
The fucking person who is always, with no frikin excepetion 'I have been better' I often get the urge to replie: 'really? when? cause I have never heard you being better'. 
Now I don't know for you but for me, this kills my buzz....


There is the friend that always asks for your opinion, you are happy to help, you always find some really good advice, put thought in it and give all your energy to do so and then they never take it, still do what they would initially do regardless of asking you and they do this repeatedly! Now Im not suggesting the person should do what you say but I'm saying whats the point of asking me if you never will take my advice and do this every fucking time????
Then there is the friend which will always - but always- will start talking about his or her problems and will not let you talk at all! This could be both in terms of compaining about their life or just a person who never stops blabbering!!!

All these types I have found over the years are amongst us but we don't seem to realise the ammount of energy they sucj out of us. We usually see them as arse holes or people we have to put up with or simply having to deal with cause that's what a good daughter/ son in law or friend has to do.
Im sure you can relate to at least one of the above vampires.....

picture sources: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/372954412865811019/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/510806782706580432/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/450852612670423915/