Day 17: A book you've read that changed your perspective on something

I'm tempted to make a list rather than pick a single book. It seems like everything I've read has changed my perspective to some degree. Whenever I open my mind to someone else's line of thinking, I realize just how limited my thoughts can be. 

But even though the books I could list are many, I've decided to go with the most recent. I just read The Invisible Gorrilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us by Christopher Chabis and Daniel Simons. It's based on a fairly well known study regarding our perceptions, and I've included a youtube video of the version I like the best (it works even if you've seen the original). Feel free to watch it before I bias you towards it's contents.

The study and the book demonstrate the ways common illusions can manipulate our ability to see the world accurately. We are biased by what we expect will be, mislead by what we think we will remember, overconfident in our abilities and in our knowledge, incorrect in judging cause and effect, and too often distracted by potential. What I'm trying to say is there was a lot to digest. It's a book to make you second-guess yourself (which I thought I was already prone to, but now I'm not so sure). Judgment is too often clouded by desire and familiarity and blind acceptance.

The Invisible Gorilla is both fascinating and enlightening. More than once I have thought about how easily my senses are mislead and misinterpreted by my own mind. I wonder if I've been giving the world funny looks lately. Also, it's case studies remind me of reading Malcolm Gladwell's books (which I love and recommend). Ultimately, this book is for anyone who believes too strongly in the power of intuition.

Hmmm, now that I think about it Blink by Gladwell actually argues for the opposite concept (i.e. trusting your gut reactions). I wonder what he would think of this book.

We see what we want to see

Last week hypocrisy struck my face and I started to see it everywhere.
I found it under the surface of the smiles and frowns of strangers.
I found it passed in a bill by the senate.
I found it on the screen of a favorite movie.
I found it within the pages of my beloved books.
I found it behind to remarks of family and friends.
I found it hiding in the recesses of my own heart and mind.
I listened to their lies and told a few myself until the facade enveloped my vision and I had to close my eyes.

Yesterday I combated my disillusion by seeking kindness and compassion.
I found it shining through my window at morning.
I found it posted on the internet.
I found it singing a tune on the radio.
I found it interviewing an earthquake victim.
I found it whispered in conversation with friends.
I found it wrapped in reassuring hugs from a loved one.
I found it transforming the desires of my heart, mind, and soul.
I felt the bitterness I had harbored dissolve as it was slowly replaced by the renewed hope in my dreams and I blinked at their beauty.

How can I be so fickle? Am limited by the scope of my quest? How much would I see if I looked for more than what I want?

This week I choose to look for love.