Not everything that glitters is gold..

I learned a very important lesson about 'perception' when I noticed how people perceived things so far off from how things really were in my life and in others. I will hold my hands up and admit that I have done it too, looked at someone and thought I knew who they were, how they felt, their past and their present, basing this purely on my perception. It isn't always a bad thing but it is always a good thing to remember that your eyes don't lie but your mind can trick you into believing anything. Before you decide to set yourself on a belief, an understanding or a decision, make sure you are fully aware that your perception is merely an interpretation not a fact.

People used to think because I smiled a lot, I was happy. Deep down I was waiting on them to go away so I could spend the rest of the day crying. Who is to ever really know how a person feels inside?
That is why it is so important we are not ruled by what we think and we take the time to get to know what we need to know about people in our lives.

The same rule applies when we compare our lives to others who may be living better than our current situation. We spend so long looking at the things they have and the way we perceive their happiness that we completely forget, for all we know these people could be terribly sad. This cycle of envy for others can be very destructive, if only you took the time to regard the fact it is only what they choose to show, it is not everything that is current for them. Not everyone likes to reveal their weaknesses, some are better at hiding it than others so to spend your time wishing you had what they have, would be you at risk of undervaluing the happiness you know that they may not.