Seeing for Real

Do we make better decisions when we base them on objective thoughts or when we base them on our perceptions?  Before answering, let us look at what objective and perceptive decisions include:

Objective

·         Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering fact

·         Seeing events clear of distractions, exaggerations, and misperceptions

·         Taking “me” out of the equation

Perceptive

·         Characterized by sympathetic understanding or insight

·         Adding information to the event that is not needed

·         Applies judgments or opinions

When we observe a situation objectively, we see facts. When we add perception to a situation, we bring other issues into account.  How often do we see what we think instead of what is actual?  The key to remaining objective is to handle our emotions.  When we let our feelings get in the way, our perceptions give us information that is not needed or not necessarily true.  Processing situations this way in real-life situations and even in football often dictates the way we respond. For example, a deer observes bright lights and senses danger.  Whether by instinct or by perception, the deer runs in fear and darts right in front of an oncoming car.  Perception can lead us into a path we do not want to go.  If the deer would think objectively, it would run away from the source of the bright lights instead of into the path of them.

Titus 2:7-8:  Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

In these verses, Paul instructs Titus (and us) to be above reproach in how we act and speak. A key factor of being the “model” Paul refers to is being factual and not negatively influenced in our thoughts and actions.  Thinking objectively takes “me” out of the equation and keeps my opinions and feelings out of the equation.  When we handle difficult situations in an objective manner with our spouse, family, friends, co-workers, crewmates, coaches, and players, they will feel safe around us and therefore learn to trust our words and our actions.  And in the end, “nothing evil can be said about us.”

The perceiving eye is weak, the objective eye is strong. (Miyamoto Musashi)

Credit: “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday