The Reality of Perceived Truth

Isn't it interesting that aside from a few basic truths, other facts do not affect us or are not important to us until we become aware of them. Even at the moment we learn of them, it is not the concrete absolutes of their being that affect us, but how we perceive them to be in our minds. Our perception, so far as we are concerned, is identical to the reality of the situation. Since this reality is dependent on and varies from person to person; perception is indeed reality. Consider a woman who believes they have one donut left in the cupboard which they plan to happily devour after lunch. They are infused by a sense of contentment in their perceived donut ownership. However, the fact of the matter is that said donut was eaten earlier by the woman's husband (whose perceived sense of well-being may decline dramatically after lunch).

Interestingly the facts changed earlier when the woman's donut account went from one to zero, while her perception - her reality - maintained a one donut balance. Further, after lunch when she realizes that her unwary husband consumed the delectable treat, her reality (or perception thereof) will change from one donut ownership to donut bankrupt causing a discernable and negative change in her sense of contentment and stability, while the reality of the matter (zero donuts to zero donuts) made no change whatsoever in that moment.

If you remain unconvinced of my argument think on the following examples:

•The moment a person dies vs. the moment in which a loved one learns of the death
•The moment a person's vehicle is burnt and destroyed by a freak gasoline fight accident vs. the moment in which they discover the tragedy
•The moment a person loses their entire family fortune in the stock market vs. the moment in which they try to buy a diamond engagement ring for their potential fiancé and subsequently learn that their purchase is denied due to the fact that they have no money and everything is about to be repossessed down to and including their vintage record copy of "It's a Small World" personally autographed by the Sherman brothers themselves.

While we often refer to the things outside our minds in the "real" world as substantial, and those in our heads as insubstantial; the more real of the two is at times these very ethereal experiences that take place only inside our heads... This said, mental health and stability are truly under our own control since the outside world cannot affect this aspect of our wellbeing directly. Maintaining a dedicated measure of optimism and skepticism can help buffer us against sudden onslaughts of ill tidings and baseless wonders.