Perception

Perception. This is a tricky subject to write about, an interesting one if nothing else. The word in and of itself seems to carry more negative implications than positive ones. I can't say for certain that every student in the class is relating their own perceptual process to some sort of negative act or judgment, but from skimming through the other posts, it would seem that way. As such, I have decided to try and take a look at this process from a more positive and enlightening sort of way.

Enter Shelby Sandy Toes; Cat Lady and Pit Bull Rider Extraordinaire. Shelby is, in my opinion and without a doubt, one of the most unique people I have ever met. On a daily basis this little girl melts my heart and gives me hope for the human race. Shelby is the four year old daughter of one of my closest friends. It was through an unfortunate set of circumstances that she came into my life, a tragedy which I will not go into too great of detail in regards to, as I want this to be a positive post.

Shelby lives with her mom, two brothers, two pit bulls, and Ray. Ray, in and of himself is an amazing guy, one of the smartest people that I have ever met. I refer to him as one of my best friends and life coach. If right now you ask Shelby who her dad is, she will respond with something similar to this: "I have my dad in heaven, and I have my dad Ray here in my world." Yup, heart melting, it's fine, she's pretty good at that. Sadly, Shelby's biological father passed away a few years ago. When Ray and Shelby's mom started dating I obviously had the unmistakable pleasure of meeting her whole family.

If you ask me, and probably anyone who has been lucky enough to get to know her, Shelby's perceptual process is one we could all take a lesson from and strive to emulate. To this little girl the "whole world" is made of sunshine, rainbows, lollypops, the magic of unicorns, and unconditional love. She has a way of finding beauty in the simplest of things we all take for granted. Everything is beautiful, or pretty, or amazing and inspiring. When she grows up she wants to adopt every cat in the whole world and let them live in her mini van. She takes Twila Kitty everywhere she goes and tells everyone how beautiful her favorite cat is. She has the most infectious laugh of any child that you will ever meet and when she gets started laughing its almost impossible to not join her, or to stop. She has a desire and thirst for knowledge and loves learning new things. She is the queen of "selfies" and would rather be outside collecting and photographing beautiful rocks than inside on the couch watching cartoons.

  

Shelby perceives the world with love, beauty, and smiles. Never one to judge but rather give a hug or watch a sunrise with. Even when she is mad at her brother for picking on her it rarely lasts for more than a minute or two and she again sings praises in his honor. Last time that I took her shopping for a toy she was more concerned with getting one for the brother who picks on her the least than getting one for herself. I wish I could be more like Shelby in the way I perceive the world. She truly is an inspiration which we could all strive to be a little more like.