Do we live our entire lives never really seeing ourselves as others do?

Question

Or is perception so relative, that there really is no answer to this question?

Answer 1

Probably we live our entire lives never really seeing ourselves as others do. And vice-versa.

I think that's because perception is so relative, there's really just that one answer.

Answer 2

We are effected by the opinions & words of others because far too often we base our self worth on what others think, say, or do to us. We falsely believe that to have the approval of others means we have "arrived" in some way. What has helped me the most to to realize that there usually isn't anything personal in those actions by others. Usually they are just doing what they do, & would have done the same thing had another been in my position, I just happen to be the one who crossed their path this time. Another thing that helped me a great deal, although it took we some time to fully understand it's meaning, is that is really is none of my business what another thinks or believes about me, good or bad. People are going to think well or not so well all along the way. People tend to judge even when they say they do not. None of that is my concern, that is their issue. It only becomes an issue for me if I place their opinion of me above my own. If someone said to you "I saw you stealing at the local store", most likely you would laugh it off. But if someone says something that is negative in nature about our character in general then we tend to get hurt, angry, etc. The difference is some inner part secretly has to agree that there is a possibility they may be right to cause a defensive reaction from us. When I catch my self getting hurt over what another has said, I attempt to look within to see if I find any truth in it. If I do, I address it. If I don't, I remember the above & let it go. What others believe they see is not nearly as important as we being able to see our self clearly. Many Blessings!

Answer 3

Everyone chooses their perception of others and themselves, so we never see ourselves as others do, and at the same time we always do.
To explain, perceptions are truths that are altered by the psyche of the individual and the person in question.
But past the ego where the true person resides, all people are the same, and we cannot view ourselves and others as separate entities.

Answer 4

It is possible to see ourselves the way others do, but it is very difficult and often requires a tramtic experinece to do so. We can't see ourselves as others do because others have different experinces. Whereas we see ourselves as moving out of the way for someone, others will see racism.

There is also something in psychology called a "Looking Glass Self". This is what you think other people think of you. It's a little confusing, but I think it's very important. Say, if you look at someone and say "Man, I bet they think I'm fat". That is the looking glass self. Your not fat, and the person your looking at doesn't think your fat, but your bad self-esteem is causing you to think that other people think bad of you. Does that make since?

I think it is a very interesting concept.

also: perception is so relative that it is extremely difficult to understand, but not impossible.

Answer 5

I think we fail to see about 50% of ourselves. We spend our entire lives looking at others and recognising their weaknesses, frailties, bad behaviour and negativity.

Nobody along the way shows us how to address these in ourselves and we go along blindly thinking we are ok, we are nice people who pretty much don't do all those bad things that others do.

That's the 50% we don't see and usually go to our grave believing we were someone we weren't.

Answer 6

No one on earth -not even my husband ,sees me as I do .
That being said He probably sees me as I am not able too.
Sounds like double talk doesn't it .
No one person sees us all of the time so they are left with there last impression of us.
I see myself from the inside out and there is no way for anyone to perceive what i see, But my perception is more than likely flawed ___do I make myself "clear as mud" LOL

Answer 7

Perception is only the translation of sensory input into your model of the world by the use of knowledge. The knowledge is given to you by your culture so you view the world and interpret your sensory input based on what society has given you. You have no way of seeing the thing you call 'you' as it is only the sum of your experience and knowledge memories. 'others' do not share this with 'you' as they are doing the exact same translation from their vantage.

In reality though we are viewing the same thing as all is one. We are only using our knowledge to create separation. This imagined separation is where we create our 'subjective' vantage point and develop the idea of an individual 'self'. What 'others' are viewing is their own creation based on their memories and knowledge. It is not what you call 'you'.

Answer 8

Yes and No. Our close friends and relatives will mirror the self as close to how we really are. The people at work and your aquiantences will not see the full picture as you really are.

Answer 9

Whatever you perceive as 'relative' can be considered 'family' who understand and see you differently than friends or enemies. It's all about relationships and environment. Do you know where YOU are?

Answer 10

Yep wen u look in the mirror ur image is backwards and wen you look within ur self ur insight may vary compared to others also ur injtentiomns may seem harmful to otherws while tghey are heart felt by u