Our Perception is Our Reality
“We see the world, not as it is, but as we are—or, as we are conditioned to see it. When we open our mouths to describe what we see, we in effect describe ourselves, our perceptions, our paradigms.”— Stephen R. Covey
Roma Norte
July 7th, 2025
📍Ciudad de México (Mexico City), Mexico 🇲🇽
¡Saludos desde el desierto!
I arrived in CDMX safely and uneventfully. The flights out of Denver are direct and cheap, and I already know this is not my last time in this vast city. Having landed in CDMX, my guide, Alac, picked me up at the airport, and we made our way to a local hotspot for al pastor tacos before checking into my accommodations. Not only was the food great, but it’s a quirky place—during the day it’s a car repair shop, and it turns into a bustling eatery at night.
Over dinner, we were discussing my guide’s newly authored and translated book. We connected over our shared understanding that perception is our reality. In learning about modern neuroscience, I’ve come to understand that there is no single reality—our brains create a unique reality for each of us. Meaning, our individual experiences, perspectives, and beliefs shape how we perceive and interpret the world around us, rather than viewing things objectively.
As Steven R. Covey states, “We see the world, not as it is, but as we are—or, as we are conditioned to see it. When we open our mouths to describe what we see, we in effect describe ourselves, our perceptions, our paradigms.”
This implies that our internal state, including our thoughts, feelings, and past experiences, acts as a filter through which we view reality. In other words, two people witnessing the same event might have vastly different interpretations based on their individual perspectives. Misunderstandings often arise when we fail to recognize that our unique perspectives (no one sees through your eyes but you) are not the only valid one.
Question for reflection: How do you think your perspective has shaped how you experience the world?
Roma Norte
I am excited to be touring this city with a local, getting the opportunity to see his home and culture through his eyes. To be conscious of my biased perspective and have something shift in me. To learn from him.
To that point, Alac is taking me on a walking tour around my Airbnb today. I’m staying in the Soho-esque neighborhood of Roma Norte:
The center of Mexico City's culinary and artistic zeitgeist, Roma Norte is home to bicyling hipsters and increasing numbers of young professionals. Its leafy central avenue, Avenida Álvaro Obregón, is lined with eclectic eateries, sidewalk bars and refurbished mansions, one of which houses Casa Lamm cultural center. Foodies descend on Mercado Roma for cool international food stalls, and street art lines the avenues. ― Google
I specifically chose an Airbnb that is within central walking distance to not only the chic neighborhoods of Polanco (where I used to live as a child) and Condesa, but also to cultural attractions such as the Museo de Arte Moderno and the National Museum of Anthropology. Stay tuned for more travel pictures and stories throughout the week.
With Love,
Jennifer
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