It’s All A Matter Of Perception

Eric McCormack who plays Dr. Daniel Pierce on Perception TNT

It seems that I write blog posts as a way to deal when stories affect me a lot. I wonder what Dr. Daniel Pierce would say about that. I’ve got a good idea. So today is one of those days. No matter where the story comes from may it be a novel, or show, the really good stories grab your attention and remind you about what makes you human. You connect with a character, empathize with their situation, and make your own realization sometimes about your life. Sometimes it’s more than just that, it’s a way to figure out what makes us who we are. We get to understand the human condition, but at the same time, have a chance to explore new worlds and experiences without even moving very far. I kind of connect it to drinking tea as well. There are so many to choose from, from all around the world, and right there in your cup you’re able to experience something special no matter what happens in your life. So why does stories (and tea) affect us, change our mood, and how we live our life? Well, I’m sure Daniel would have all the interesting facts ready at hand. Sadly, right now, I don’t. I’m not an expert. Sometimes I feel very ordinary, but I reminded often through people I met, talk to, and stories that we all have something worth doing with our lives. We’re all unique, and we given everything we need to make our world and life worth while.

It’s Spring Break, for me, anyways. So far, I’ve spent it trying to relax and enjoy each day, even if I’m not doing much. The break is suppose to be a chance to rejuvenate and get ready towards what comes next. Sure, I’ve gotten some stuff done that I needed to do, even things I hadn’t planned on originally, such as apply to take a GRE subject test (to help my chances in applying to doctoral programs). Yet there is still things I need to do that are looming over me. All I want to do is forget about my worries, but they are there seemly everywhere. Then there’s things that I want to do, some of them I struggle to push myself to actually do even though I love doing it. The prime example–writing creatively. I promised myself, and even wrote it on my social network accounts, that I would write a story, maybe a poem, and a blog post. Well, at least I can cross of that last one of the list. I tried write a bit this past Saturday, but I liked it but it felt forced. Unlike how I feel about writing this blog post, it’s like the words are just flowing out of me. I think it has to do with how I’ve been feeling lately. I’ve been a bit stressed (as well as excited) about the future ahead, as well as getting things done for my grad classes, but at the same time, I’ve realized that I’ve been kind of slacking off when it comes to other parts of my life.

Not something specific, but just not trying to do more. Not that I have much time, but at the same time, it shouldn’t be my excuse. I should, for example, make more time to read and write for enjoyment but I haven’t done that really. Sometimes it seems like every time I reach out to chat, everyone seems busy, so sometimes I try not be the first one to start up a conversation unless I really feel like doing so. As well as when I’m procrastinating instead of what I need to get done. I know these things are normal, but I’ve been reminded through the shows I watch, as well as what I learn at church, that I should keep a check on what I’m doing every day so that I don’t have any regrets later on because I didn’t do more. Maybe I’m overthinking it. I do have a habit of doing that. It’s not that I haven’t been enjoying what I’ve been given so far. I just don’t want to let things slip because I’m trying to just get done what I need to each day. It is important to take things one step at a time, especially when it comes to not getting overwhelmed, but we need to remind ourselves to reflect on what we’ve have done, and what we could do more of to benefit not only yourself but for others as well.

Besides the great web series I’ve enjoyed watching (like Classic Alice, and recently From Mansfield With Love), the TV shows I’ve seen recently (Perception, Chasing Life, Grey’s Anatomy, Castle… to name a few) have been adding towards this idea of not letting things slip by because you don’t know what is going to happen down the road. Getting a good perspective of what your goals are, what you hope to accomplish, and what you can do to remind yourself of your worth. You might realize what more you can accomplish, but also realize that we can’t rush to get it all done, or get everything we want. The TV show Perception aired their last episode on Tuesday. It made me sad to see such an incredible show go, especially since everyone apart of it really hadn’t planned on the show ending Tuesday. They had to wrap up the show because the network chose, for some reason that I can’t really figure out, to cancel the show and didn’t give the creators enough time to really give the fans the proper ending. Yet like many things in life, endings aren’t perfectly wrapped gifts, and sometimes we receive endings when we don’t want or expect them to but we have to deal with it.

Sometimes we just need some time to give us some perspective enough to show that maybe that ending was needed to open a door afterwards. We shouldn’t search for what the reason might be, but remember that there is one. That I got from an episode of Chasing Life. So one of my favorite characters (aka Perception) didn’t get a happy ending, or end up with whom I thought he should have, all that really matters is that my favorite characters within that story lived and they all have the potential to be happy. Just like I do, like we all do. Sure I will miss Daniel Pierce solving cases with Kate, and his lectures (and much more), sometimes we have to remember the good and move on towards what’s coming along. We can’t hold onto the past and let that destroy our chances to be happy now and in the future. We have to do what we can, and even if we don’t get everything we hope to do, I hope we are happy for what we’ve done so far. It’s that what matters at the end of the day, besides those who you care about. Yet at the same time, don’t let what others have said or the past dictate what you could do in the future. We have so much chances in our life. Don’t let them pass you by.

Rachael Leigh Cook (Kate Moretti) & Eric McCormack (Daniel Pierce) on Perception

Thanks for all the great stories, and insight, Dr. Pierce. In my mind, you “get” the girl* and you two both live happily, successful lives and make changes in the world. Most of all, you will always keep inspiring others to think more deeply about their world around them, and help others realize and empathize what it means to have a mental illness, a wound that can’t be seen, and not letting it stop them from achieving their hopes and dreams. Just like in Grey’s Anatomy, we all have the potential to be superheroes, and inspire others to be their best. So don’t forget what has inspired you, whom or what has motivated you to be who you are, and don’t let that stop with you, pass it on to others. Hopefully in our own way, we make our own mark in the world in a way that we’re remembered for being an incredible person, not just successfully but personally as well. Do all that you can, but don’t punish yourself if you can’t do everything. All you can do is live life as best as you can, and hope for the best.

*Yes, I know life and stories shouldn’t be about whom gets with whom, but I just can’t help it. Sometimes you just want certain things to happen, even if there isn’t any chance. We all hope for the happy ending, even if it doesn’t seem to ever come, or happen the way we plan it.

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