Fact or Perception?

I am humbled by how much there is learn.
Even on my toughest days the lessons are there, especially if I am paying attention.

One lesson I learned today is this:
Be mindful of the filter.

The filter is the lens through which we see the world and interpret events, make judgments of others... Our filter influenced by many things-- culture, family socialization, past experiences/relationships, even our mood.

Today when I was leaving yoga I noticed that my yoga mat had been moved. My filter, or perception told me, "Someone left the yoga studio with my mat". I was not angry because my filter told me that it was an accident-- "Yoga students do not steal". My filter also told me, "You need a new mat anyway."

About an hour later I realized that I really did not know the facts. And my perception may have been wrong.

I went back to the studio and found my mat.
Perhaps another student borrowed my mat for the following class, assuming it belonged to the yoga studio.

But wait - fact or perception?

Be mindful of the filter.
Give others the benefit of the doubt.
And give your beautiful self a hug.