“Reality doesn't bite, our perception of reality bites."- Anthony J. D'Angelo

Take a moment to reflect on the excerpt above before reading the next line. Perception is a unique aspect of our lives that controls the understanding and interpretation of our environment. Perception is not an isolated process; it relies on sensing information through sight, sound, and other senses. Have you ever been caught up in a situation where what you thought would happen took a different turn? The common statement we make during situations of this sort is, " I thought it was...., or I perceived it to be...." Is perception reality? The American Author, Anthony J. D'Angelo, in his quote about perception and reality, stated, "Reality doesn't bite, our perception of reality bites." The line between reality and perception is often blurred by individual interpretation. Most of the actions that take place in our immediate environs are subjective and can be attached to diverse opinions, in other words, interpretations. Perception may tend to become one's reality but not for another person. Consider the question of the existence of God. People of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and many other faiths perceive that the existence of the universe and all creatures in it is centred on the command of a Supreme Being, who cannot be seen. Atheists, on the other hand, believe that the universe originated through natural processes, without the intervention of a divine being. Both viewpoints, though based on different perceptions, hold a sense of reality for their respective believers. The interesting aspect of these two analogies is that they are both backed by comprehensive evidence and facts proving each claim valid. Do you still think Perception is reality? Several factors can alter one's perception and lead to the adoption of a new perceived reality. These include: new experiences, changes in environment, and interaction with people, which also play a key role. Growing up, I always believed in the existence of ghosts at night, and they were ready to attack any child that stays out of the home after 6 pm, because my parents instilled that belief in me. It wasn't until high school that I realized this was a tactic to keep my brothers and me from staying out late. Perception exists in almost every aspect of life; some instances include Perception and Photography, which refers to the individual perspectives embodied in each person during the capturing or drawing of items from different angles. Also, Perception and Culture, referring to how the culture we identify ourselves with tends to influence how we view the world. In a typical Ghanaian and Asian culture, it is considered wrong for a child to use their left hand when greeting or giving something to an elder; children are perceived to be uncultured if they use their left hand in society. As compared to Europe, where it may not be a heinous offence to use the left hand, especially if you are a left-handed person. Let us now delve into our topic: Perception as a weapon of success and destruction. Perception is always influenced by external factors. We can shape how others perceive us through self-branding. Similar to how products are marketed, a car buyer's perception is influenced by how brands present themselves, impacting their purchasing decisions. The client may buy Tesla for its technological features, Toyota for its hard body, or Kia Picanto for its affordability. This applies to humans as well; people who want to be perceived as wealthy always make sure that they appear in the finest clothing, expensive cars, and stay in expensive homes and residences. The potential for success or destruction lies in the expectations that accompany a particular perception. When you can influence society to perceive you as a wealthy individual, you are always expected to live a certain lifestyle, eat certain foods, drive a certain brand of car, and dress in a certain type of clothes. This may be a successful method to gain attention, especially when one wants to be influential in society, and they truly have the resources to live the lifestyle they portray. On the other hand, it may become destructive when people deliberately want to be perceived as someone they are not; this usually takes place on social media platforms, which is now termed as social media influencing. Not all these influencers are fake, but most of them live double lives. Where they borrow or rent luxury items solely to maintain a facade on social media and meet the expectations of their audience. Perception is a tool that works in several ways, both good and bad, but it depends on what perception you want to create around yourself.