Trust is the bedrock of any successful marriage, fostering security, intimacy, and resilience. Without trust, even the most passionate love can falter, while with it, couples can overcome the greatest challenges.

Take Sarah and John, for example. John’s job required frequent travel, while Sarah managed their finances and household chores. They built a foundation of trust through open communication, sharing daily experiences, fears, and aspirations. Sarah trusted John to stay faithful during his trips, and John trusted Sarah to manage the home effectively.

Their trust was put to the test when Sarah reorganized the kitchen while John was away. John, the culinary genius, returned to find the paprika mingling with the basil. He could have had a meltdown but instead reminded himself of the trust they had built. After all, Sarah trusted him not to mix whites with reds in the laundry, which he failed spectacularly.

The real test came when John faced a financial setback due to a poor investment. Instead of hiding his mistake, John confided in Sarah. She responded with support, and together, they devised a recovery plan, strengthening their partnership.

Sarah’s support reassured John, and his honesty reinforced her confidence in their relationship. This mutual trust enabled them to navigate crises with unity, emerging stronger and more connected.

So, nurture trust in your marriage. Be honest, communicate openly, and support each other unconditionally. And remember, when your spouse rearranges your spice rack, it’s not the end of the world. Trust is not just a virtue; it’s the foundation of a happy and enduring union.

As Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) says,

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

This scripture highlights the importance of mutual support and trust in a marriage, reminding us that together, couples can face any challenge.

Today, we’re diving into the wonderfully wacky world of seeing vs. perceiving. This will be as fun as a barrel of monkeys or at least as entertaining as watching them try to solve a Rubik’s Cube.

The Eyes Have It… Or Do They?

We all have eyes, and we all use them to look at the world around us. But here’s the kicker: just because we’re seeing the same thing doesn’t mean we’re perceiving the same thing. Perception is like a filter through which we interpret sensory input, influenced by experiences, emotions, beliefs, and even our caffeine levels.

Picture this: two people standing in front of the Mona Lisa. One sees a timeless masterpiece, the epitome of Renaissance art. The other sees a slightly smug woman who looks like she knows a secret and isn’t telling. Same painting, vastly different perceptions.

A Real-Life Example: The Dress

Remember “The Dress”? The one that broke the internet in 2015. Some saw it as white and gold, others as blue and black. It was the optical illusion that launched a thousand debates and probably a few ruined friendships. It perfectly showed how two people can see the same thing and perceive it completely differently.

Why Does It Matter?

Understanding the difference between seeing and perceiving is crucial because it reminds us that our perspective is just that—our perspective. It’s not absolute truth but a subjective interpretation. This awareness can foster empathy, patience, and better communication.

A Bit of Wisdom

Philippians 4:8 (NIV) says:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

It’s a reminder to focus on positive perceptions.

So, whether you’re seeing blue and black or white and gold, remember, perception is everything. Make it a good one.

When I have an interview or have a special engagement, I like to wear my black wool suit. It makes me feel classy, sharp and executive. But I’m not the only one who has symbol that orients them to a winning or power mindset.

Albert Einstein and His Leather Jacket

Albert Einstein, the famous theoretical physicist, often wore a leather jacket. This jacket became a symbol of his intellectual persona and provided him with a sense of comfort and familiarity. Wearing the jacket helped him feel prepared and focused, whether he was working on his theories or giving lectures.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Her Dissent Collar

The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had a special collar she wore when she dissented from a Supreme Court decision. This dissent collar became a symbol of her strength, resilience, and dedication to justice. Wearing it helped her mentally prepare to stand firm in her beliefs and articulate her opposing views with conviction.

David and His Sling

In the bible, David, before becoming king, used a simple sling as his weapon when he faced Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior. The sling and the five smooth stones he chose symbolized his faith in God and his trust that God would deliver him from his enemies. This symbol helped David maintain his courage and determination, leading to his remarkable victory over Goliath.

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.”

1 Samuel 17:45-46, NIV

What is your ‘black suit’? What symbolic attire or tool do you use, or could you use, to help orient your mind and posture for presenting your best self?

Let me tell you a little story about a mindset that turns ordinary people into legends, inspired by the timeless wisdom of Vincent Lombardi, the relentless spirit of Serena Williams, and the visionary prowess of Howard Schultz.

Picture this: Coach Lombardi stands before his team. His gaze is as intense as a double espresso shot, and he says, “Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while; you don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all of the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.”

Bam! That hits like a freight train, doesn’t it? Lombardi wasn’t just talking about football. He was talking about life, about how the way you approach each moment shapes your destiny. You either cultivate a habit of winning, or you don’t. There’s no middle ground, no half-measures.

Take Serena Williams, for example. A powerhouse on and off the court, she has faced more setbacks than a cat trying to learn how to swim. But does she give up? Absolutely not. She once said, “I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.” That’s resilience for you. Her journey is a testament to bouncing back, no matter how hard the fall, with the grace of a swan and the ferocity of a lion.

Williams doesn’t just play tennis; she lives and breathes it. Every setback is a setup for a comeback. Her mental toughness is legendary. Imagine being down in the match, the crowd is tense, the pressure’s on, but there she is—cool as a cucumber, eyes on the prize. That’s the winning mentality: a blend of tenacity, focus, and an unshakeable belief in oneself.

Then we have Howard Schultz, the coffee mogul who turned Starbucks into a global phenomenon. When Schultz took over, Starbucks was just a humble bean roaster. But he had a vision, a vision where people didn’t just buy coffee—they experienced it. He took risks, innovated, and, most importantly, cared for his employees. Schultz believed in winning together, not just as a company but as a community. His approach wasn’t just about making money; it was about making a difference. Talk about a grand slam in the business world!

Lombardi, Williams, Schultz—these icons didn’t just wake up winners. They worked at it. They faced failures, overcame them, and came back stronger. Their secret sauce? A relentless pursuit of excellence, a refusal to settle for mediocrity, and a mindset that sees every challenge as an opportunity.

So, whether you’re hitting the court, closing a business deal, or just trying to win at this thing called life, remember: winning is a habit. It’s about showing up, giving it your all, and doing it right every single time. Because in the grand game of life, you don’t get points for half-hearted efforts. You win when you make winning your everyday habit. Now go out there and win your day, every day.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV)

This verse encourages us to approach life with the mindset of a champion. It’s a call to give our best effort, to strive for excellence, and to pursue our goals with unwavering determination.Top of Form