I have noticed that I have an insidious tendency to interact with the world as I perceive it rather than the reality of the way it is. I can have attitudes or beliefs that prevent me from really seeing things as they are and, then, as a result, reacting less affectively. For example, my perception of my physical condition often depends on my mood at the time. If my mood is depressed or sad I tend to have a low opinion of my abilities and, conversely, if my mood is on the manic side I tend to overrate myself. I do better when I can simply accept things the way they are. It is only when I have total acceptance of reality that I can take maximally affective actions.
