Perception is everything. And nothing.

This post came about following a conversation with a friend.

I had mentioned I’d started gardening to earn money for another travel adventure.  He knows my history of working for a large corporate for 20 years, he knows I’ve got a first class degree in Mechanical engineering, and he knows I’ve spent 18 months writing, editing, and publishing a book.

I’m not saying that to show off, just to give context to his comment of “isn’t that a little bit like doing a student job?”

I had to bite my tongue.

Not because of what he had said, but because his belief what I was doing was, in someway, not up to my full professional ability.   Which is my point to this post.  Because perception can be a bugger.

Whilst you think you are right, there is no correct viewpoint. I make the point because my friend is unhappy in his own work, yet continues to strive toward a money and status driven career – because it’s all he knows.

I can’t help but wonder what would happen if he took a month out, did something different for a while, and broadened (loosened) his horizons.

Taking a break from what I knew certainly worked for me, and whilst I always say I’m no expert, it might be that a different perspective is not such a bad place after all.

PS. This is one of many reasons I wrote my book Adventures In Happiness.

PPS.  Gardening is actually theraputic and rewarding.  Whilst it doesn’t pay much money I am working outdoors and getting fresh air (and a tan) with a sense of freedom. And is there a price on that?

PPS. This is, of course, my own perception!