What are my views about perception? How does perception tie into reality and how that differs from facts.

 People often say "perception is reality". I hated the phrase. Was confused between perception, reality and facts. Scientific in nature and was all about the facts... generally accepted facts. Perception was like an opinion.

 I soon realized how they played together: Reality is what our perceptions create; the reality is ours and may not be seen by others; we find it factual in our reality; but may not be necessarily a fact. In the end, there is really no such thing as right or wrong... to a certain degree.

 Take a concert, for example. Place 10 friends in the best seats in the house. Ask them what they thought of the concert when it is over. You will get 10 very different opinions. Ask to rate them and chances are high that you will get different ratings. Why? It was the same concert!

 Emotions, experiences, memories and a host of other factors influence our perception thus, creating our reality. The facts? It was a concert, they had the best seats, etc. All 10 friends created their own realities.

 The key for me was not to judge. We do not have the full picture of the other person. Perceptions are in fact judgements, too. Besides emotions, experiences and memories, which alter how we perceive in a specific time, there are other factors.

 Our upbringing, the environments we grew up in, all set the stage for how we perceive. If you are brought up in a household that has always struggled and always complained about it, you will perceive your surroundings with that fundamental perspective.  If you are brought up in a household that had the opposite views of things, your perceptions will be more positive. But materialism is not the key. Wealthy people can still have negative perceptions. And people with limited income can be very positive. I learned that value of life, and not money or material possessions was the key to real happiness.

 Poor people become rich all the time. And that is because they realized that their environment does not define them. They define their reality. Be aware of your thoughts... entirely. Learn to identify when you are judging. Learn to let go of the ego that has kept you trapped where you are. Accept constructive criticism from others... it is the best free tool to improve ourselves. Improve yourself daily... even if it is just 1%... over time 1% increments add up and you will achieve all your goals. Practice gratitude. 

 This shifts the focus from what you want to what you have and appreciate. It gives your life value. Practice random acts of kindness. Stop thinking of lack.

 Now, just go and do it!