Stories Unheard

Perceptions. One word that is constantly running in our minds, influencing our every action and reaction equally. Rather than focusing on the consequences that may arise due to our actions, more often than not, we fret over the perception it might leave on others. And why not, humans are gregarious creatures, we live in societies that often make or break people based on their perceptions and thus the image we portray must be carefully cultivated. However, this is like judging a book by its cover, as often perceptions are subdued between layers of insinuation. So, instead of looking at what lies beneath, the story that made the person who he is, who debate and speculate about the person itself, therein losing out on what the story behind that image had to offer.

In a talk show by a renowned personality in the world of business, there was a point on which he lay great emphasis, i.e. how we lay great emphasis on successful people. We perceive them in a different manner, often with other worldly assumptions, and try and emulate them. And that is where we are flawed. If we look at a finished product, or a successful person, or anything we perceive as good, and try to induct or emulate it as such, we would often be setting lofty unachievable targets and unrealistic expectations. The finished product is devoid of flaws and thus it’s called the finish product. So, shouldn’t the emphasis be on the story behind that product, the story that success, or the efforts that often remain behind the façade we portray to the world. The struggles, the sacrifice, the pain, the hunger that lay behind what the world perceives as success or glory is what needs to be looked at most, but ironically, is lost out in the folds of our actions and time.

So, next time before perceive any action of anyone in a certain manner, let’s not forget that therein lies a story which hasn’t been heard, and that has led to what we see of the individual as today. What might seem hostile and averse to the eye, might actually be virtuous and humane, once we make the effort to look beyond our perceptions. But it’s not often we do that. After all, it’s easier to stand and look, rather than walking across and knowing. And that is where we often lose out, on the stories that remained unheard. 


Copyright Darshil A Shastri