Perceptions as Reality - Essay Example

Perceptions as Reality Reality is nothing more than a conception, which is unique to every person. This is the case, as nothing can be identified as real since the perception of every person differs from that of the other, in various areas. The mere fact that we see one thing in a particular way does not mean that it is that way. For example, during my military training and field experience, I have learnt that my way of seeing a situation was sometimes flawed or more right than that of my fellow trainees and other people. The lesson about these differences in perception taught me that I should always keep an open mind. I also learnt to bear in mind that a different point of view is always valuable towards informing my actions (Tornow 221). Previously, I used to view myself as a very realistic person, but contemplating on the differences in different people’s perception, which shapes their reality, I realized that realistic means an entirely different concept. This paper will discuss perception and reality, placing emphasis on self and team actions, which affected my perception during military training and work. Right from the initial moment after recruitment into the army, I was introduced to the values of teamwork and the values and skills required of me in order to succeed in the army. During the introduction and orientation week, the different recruits shared their stories regarding their choice for joining the army, and how it had helped them achieve their goals. Following the different experiences, I learnt that what we were all pursuing – admission into military training – was a fundamentally different reality based on our different perceptions. Personally, I chose to join the army since I always felt a deep-seated interest to work in a combat environment, where I would help save the lives of innocent people. Others explained that they did it to fulfill a childhood promise they made to their parents, and others said that they joined the army in order to defend the interests of people whose rights were not protected. For example, one man said that his mother was killed during an armed combat, and he swore not to let innocent women and children die. Another lady said that she joined the army as the place where she would remain physically fit throughout her life. Others said that they joined for the status they would get as members of the army. The different perceptions, regarding the value of army work depicted to me that what is real to me was not the same as that which was held by others (Tornow 222). Before joining the army, I viewed war as an evil affair in its totality since I viewed it as a way that led to the death of innocent lives. After joining the army, and following the training and the soldier testimonies offered by experienced army personnel, I realized that some situations call for war before the restoration of peace. However, in the case of not employing war, there may be a continuation of the violation of the interest and the rights of many innocent people. For example, during one training session, our instructors exposed us to the adverse effects of terrorist attacks that included the disastrous effects of the 9/11 attack by al-Qaida. Following the briefing, we were questioned on whether it was right to go to war in order to put an end to the chain of attacks and suffering, as compared to avoiding war, but then bearing all the adversity caused by war. Following the training, there was unanimity in agreement that the attacks staged against leaders who supported terrorism such as Sadaam Hussein were warranted since they created temporary damage at the benefit of maintaining peace in the long term. Like my perception about war, those of other trainees were very different (Tornow 223). For example, one man, who argued that his mother died during war, was of the opinion that he would go into war at any time and with any person since it made him feel that he was defending his mother’s memories. During the training sessions, experienced army personnel guided us through procedural training. During the first sessions of training, many of us felt that the personnel were overtraining us although one explained to us that overtraining was at the core of turning a civilian into a soldier. They also added that the well-built bodies were the result of the intensive training that we almost shied away from. During the sessions, they demonstrated the positive effects of the painful experiences inflicted during the training, as they were integrated into the training so that the outlook of the soldier towards pain – which they would often bear – changes. For example, after two weeks of combat training, I felt a high level of fitness that I had never felt before, which is indicative of a change in my perception towards pain and intense training (Tornow 222). I changed my perception in order to associate the pain and the struggle of training with the good of becoming a stronger person and gaining all the orientation to pain that I would need – so I could bear pain and all the difficult experiences a soldier should. For example, as a soldier, getting shot in the leg cannot stop me from pursuing the enemy as I learnt to associate pain with the need to forge ahead in order for me to emerge victorious. Through the training, I gained the values of altering my perception and changing it to ensure that I adopted one that favored my resolve and the goals that I pursue. This started during a time when our combat team attacked an enemy front, and one of our soldiers was shot dead. Instead of worrying about the death of the team member, the commander explained that the death required more from the remaining team members, unless we also wanted to die at the war front. That motivated each one of us, and we fought so diligently that we came out successfully. Before that experience, I had not witnessed the death of a fellow soldier, and yet I kept moving forward. Through the experience, I learnt that I was able to choose my perception, and that it was among the primary determinants of my reality. From that moment on, I developed the mentality that adversity does not have to stop me from trying to win, as doing so would make me a loser (Tornow 223). The outlook of guiding my perception has helped me win in different situations: financial, self developmental and in countering the problems of life. Therefore, I can say that my army training and work has made me a stronger person in every aspect of life. In conclusion, reality is more of a conception, which is uniquely developed by different people on the basis of their perception. As a result, what one person considers real may not actually be real, as the reality is likely to be that grounded on their perception and not that of others. For example, some trainees viewed war was a form of revenge for their past adversities, which was illogical to me. Through army training and work, I was introduced to the importance of teamwork and the values required before one can succeed. Teamwork is also important, as it promotes the welfare of others. Following my experiences in the army, my reality changed due to the change of my perception. During the training period, I learnt to associate pain with future benefit, which was far from my reality before joining the military. Through military training and work, I also developed the ability to control my perception, which is the guiding model for the conception of reality that helps me to view many things differently from the way I used view them before. Work Cited Tornow, Walter. “Perceptions or reality: Is multi-perspective measurement a means or an end?” Human Resource Management 32 (2006): 221-223. Read More