BY PIYALI SARKAR

 

 

 

WE OFTEN confuse reality with our beliefs. Although these are distinct entities, we stay true to our beliefs because of our experiences. A situation occurred where two people had misguided perceptions about each other. Why did this happen? Was it a play of experiences or two rigid souls with set beliefs? Ekam, a spirited engineer with dreams as vast as the sky, was a social personality with a positive attitude and high values. On the other hand, Dyuti had an introverted personality rooted in logic and practicality. They met on a matrimonial app and decided to meet in Bangalore, where they worked. One evening, they found themselves at a renowned eatery. As Ekam painted his dreams with words, Dyuti, rooted in practicality, listened with an analytical ear. Slowly, their communication echoed with the clashing notes of their distinct personalities. What was Ekam’s perception of Dyuti? To Ekam, life was a melody of aspirations and endless possibilities, believing in spontaneity. There are societal stereotypes about introverts- reserved, lacking openness, and perhaps less expressive. The irony was that Ekam based his perception of Dyuti on these. Yet, he saw her as an intriguing puzzle waiting to unfold her uniqueness. As Ekam tried deciphering Dyuti’s expressions, he unintentionally painted her with his preconceived notions.

 

The silence looked void, misinterpreted as a lack of interest and a negative attitude. The loud brushstrokes of ‘standard’ and societal expectations overshadowed the beauty of Dyuti’s introverted nature. On the other side, Dyuti viewed life as a blueprint, a carefully calculated equation where every decision had a purpose. She believed in the logic of compatibility and the rationality of shared goals. Dyuti saw Ekam’s dreams as a GPS navigation system on shuffle – a scenic route through the clouds with no fixed destination. In her attempts to understand Ekam, Dyuti unintentionally weaved a web of assumptions, perceiving his enthusiastic expressions as impractical chaos lacking a solid foundation. The beauty lay in unraveling these misconceptions. They peeled away layers of societal stereotypes and personal biases to discover a shared desire for understanding. People must understand that perceptions are not concrete truths, but fleeting impressions molded by individual experiences. Societal expectations and ‘standard’ beliefs cast shadows on genuine expressions when people try to connect. Today, people explore profiles, seeking better choices, thinking they might find someone better.

 

However, breaking free from preconceptions is essential. To foster meaningful connections, one must question assumptions, communicate openly, and embrace the individuality of others. It’s a reminder that in between different personalities, understanding is the rhythm that transforms clashing notes into a harmonious symphony. Some factors are influential and unchangeable, but adjusting and dealing with them is the key to a healthy relationship. Embrace the distinct characteristics of every individual. That’s when the idea that love and connection flourish when individuals allow each other to be authentically themselves, unburdened by societal expectations. You weave narratives around people you encounter, and they are easy to build. But focusing on every thread and knot requires a more empathetic and open-hearted approach to relationships. That’s when understanding triumphs over assumptions. Lastly, perception, like a mirror, reflects the biases it carries. In the grand theatre of life, let us be mindful of the roles we assign to others, for it is through unbiased lenses that truth finds its stage.