Perspective vs. Reality

the free dictionary by Farlex defines perspective in this way...

1. n.

a. A view or vista.

b. A mental view or outlook: "It is useful occasionally to look at the past to gain a perspective on the present"(Fabian Linden).

2. The appearance of objects in depth as perceived by normal binocular vision.

3.

a. The relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole: a perspective of history; a need to view the problem in the proper perspective.

b. Subjective evaluation of relative significance; a point of view: the perspective of the displaced homemaker.

c. The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance: tried to keep my perspective throughout the crisis.

4. The technique of representing three-dimensional objects and depth relationships on a two-dimensional surface.

adj.

Of, relating to, seen, or represented in perspective.

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[Middle English, science of optics (influenced by French perspective, perspective), from Medieval Latin perspectva (ars), feminine of perspectvus, optical, from perspectus, past participle of perspicere, to inspect : per-,per- + specere, to look; see spek- in Indo-European roots.]

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per·spectiv·al adj.

per·spective·ly adv.

and reality in this way...

n. pl. re·al·i·ties

1. The quality or state of being actual or true.

2. One, such as a person, an entity, or an event, that is actual: "the weight of history and political realities" (Benno C. Schmidt, Jr.)

3. The totality of all things possessing actuality, existence, or essence.

4. That which exists objectively and in fact: Your observations do not seem to be about reality.

adj.

Relating to or being a genre of television or film in which a storyline is created by editing footage of people interacting or competing with one another in unscripted, unrehearsed situations.

Idiom:

in reality

In fact; actually.

...but I heard an intriguing thought about perspective, which has had me thinking for a few days. 

"If what you perceive isn't real, what IS reality?"

When people around me start talking crazy...I perceive a personal attack.  But, is that what is really happening?  Is the person trying to be purposefully "mean", or is that just where the poor soul is "stuck"?  Pointing out others' defects because they are not courageous enough to look at themselves, a kind of  avoidance, if you will.

Three of us were having photos taken, this last week, while on vacation.  All three of us had different perspectives on the moment.  I felt kinda awkward and self conscious.  I am fairly confident that no one else there knew that I was having those feelings.  All the while, I also felt like I was connecting with those other women.  We had something in common in the photographs... certainly, that we were all wearing the same shirts made us companions of a sort.  But that wasn't all.  There was a perceived feeling of connection between us.  A kind of sisterhood.

 

If what we perceive is just an opinion, then what IS real?  Our feelings are real.  Our words are real.  Our lives are real.  Our need for food and water is definitely real.  So then, what is reality?  Is reality what I think is happening, or is that a perception?  Was it really raining on my head today?  Are there two dogs that want to be walked, lying at my feet?  Do I really have several children and a messy house, or are those things perceived? 

Sorry to go there, but what if The Matrix was closer to reality than we can ever imagine?  They say life imitates art...or is it art that imitates life?