Punctuation and Perception.

Woman without her man is nothing.

This simple phrase without punctuation could have several meanings. For example:

Woman without her man, is nothing.
or
Woman, without her man is nothing.

Punctuation and Perception. It helps us to put the emphasis on the right syllable

I think that a lot of things shape our perceptions in life. Where you're from, how you're raised, life experiences (or lack there of), people, places and circumstances. We are where we are in life because of the things that have happened prior. I'm thinking of two individuals I know (look I'm not going to talk about myself in this one. Orange you glad I didn't say banana?) I don't know specifics of family life, but I think background-wise they're pretty similar.

Similarities:

• "split" homes (in that the mother and father are divorced or separated). 
• not quite inner city and I don't know how to say this and be politically correct so I'll just leave that to your imagination... We'll say this. In all my private school bred glory, I may have garnered some attention...and not known how to deal with all the *ahem* swag?
• Very passionate about a particular thing in their life, and becoming successful at what they dream

Now those base things in common, the differences I see are amazing. Not so much a matter of confidence, though that's also something that is affected by our perceptions; but the avenues in which they are going about pursuing said accomplishments.

One took his education in a not so great suburb and athletic talent, and got a scholarship to an excellent university. The other took his skills to the commercial industry. And was successful for a few weeks. 

One continues to study hard, play hard, and work hard for what he wants. The other smokes hard, drinks hard, and plays harder, with a swag that says "can't touch this"

One will graduate probably with honors from a prestigious university. The other will play clubs, with his aspiring artists, for little to no pay. 

I'm not trying to praise one and disparage the other. Because I truly respect both men for having the courage and confidence to pursue the things they want, in a world where they are presumed to fail. I'm simply pointing out the different perceptions of life that they have. I admire both of them for completely different reasons, and sometimes wish I had the confidence in myself that they both exude so potently. 

Confidence can make or break a person in this life. Some people have it naturally; a result of having and expecting everything to go their way because they deserve it. Some people have built it, with hard work and careful planning. And some people have to work every damn day to even begin to believe that they may be worthy of anything good that happens to them in this life. Being confident is much easier said than done. But adding confidence can change your perceptions. 

So tonight, I'll leave you with this story. Michelle and Barack (I almost put their last name, but I really hope you know who they are. And recognize my first name basis with the first fam...) went to some little diner and the owner called Michelle off to chat. When she got back Barack asked her about it and she said that she had dated him some time ago. So Barack then said, "if you had married him, you would be the owner of a diner." And what did the oh so sassy first lady say? She replied, "if I'd married him, he would be the president of the United States." 

You ponder that. Feel free to share your opinions on perceptions. I haven't said so before but as our readership grows (to include my sisters, lol) I love to hear feedback. If you have any, or an interesting topic you'd like me to ponder. With all of my 21-year-old perspective hit me up. 

the rest is still UNwritten.