Perception is really an amazing thing. As proud human beings, which most genuinely tend be, we make decisions about how something is and quickly close the books on any further thought of the situation. I wonder how many beautiful things…how many opportunities for greatness…how many joys of this world we miss because of our ignorance to re-visiting a scenario or particular area of experience?

I booked my ticket just a month ago as my business was at a point in Colombia that my team felt I was needed in order to help with growth. As I did this I began to ponder the possibilities of what I had just gotten myself into. You see…I always admired Harrison Ford. I thought he was the almighty actor for sure. How could you not be a Han Solo or more appropriately for this case a Jack Ryan fan. I mean the guy clearly showed you what Clear and Present Danger meant in the movie. When they told him do not look out the window white boy….it was pretty clear that they were serious. Interestingly enough there is some reality to the movie. I would imagine that it was probably a stronger reality than most understand. However, that was then…..this is now. What I saw in that movie were the side streets and the rocket launchers blazing at mi amigo Jack! It seemed dirty…it seemed very dangerous…. and seemed so third world that I could not imagine ever wanting to go there.

Needless to say these are the images that came to my mind when the thought of going to Colombia presented itself to me in the last two years. I really did not exercise any other use of my brain outside of the perception that I had from this movie. How often do we human beings do such and never know what we really missed? I would bet an awful lot more than we would like to admit.

The reality of the situation is something so different than what I would have ever imagined.

Does Colombia have riff raff? Absolutely…just like any other country or major city in the world. There are always a few places in any city that you should probably not wonder off into. Colombia is no worse because of that.

Does Colombia have violence? Yes… like anywhere else but the severity that seemed so prominent at one point genuinely looks to be a thing of the past. The violence that was once so strong seems to have succumbed to a president who is pretty darned anti-guerilla. The guy has done so much down here that they actually changed the constitution to elect him for a second term. Amazingly enough they are trying to change it again to have him elected for a third time. What does this mean….to me it means that peace is pretty darned contagious and the Colombian people are much more educated than I had ever imagined. As a matter of fact, I would bet there College Graduation rate in percentage rivals the best of countries. I have no supporting evidence except that everywhere I go people seem to be incredibly sharp and totally on the ball….oh yeah and they don’t eat Pizza with their hands and they rock some awesome 80’s music in half English/half Spanish in the restaurants and bars. If that is not educated than I don’t know what is ☺! Flat out…the people down here are sharp and very much world class and they have a kindness to them that just makes you feel like you are a family member. Pretty darned neat I say.

Ok ok…Enough rambling. My point is that if I would have continued to follow my perception on an outdated model, than I would have missed out on meeting some of the most wonderfully passionate and exciting people I have ever met. I would have missed out on some incredible cultural experiences. I would have missed out on some very big business opportunity for advancement. Do you see what I am getting at!!! I love me some Jack Ryan…but he is a bit outdated now. Are you still allowing outdated misperceptions to control opportunity in your present situation? If you are…I promise it’s not too late to change that.

So do me a favor please my friends. Don’t let misperception guide you. Give everything/one a fresh look. If a new opportunity presents itself and it is something that you associate as negative because of the past…..be careful and check it out fully. It just may be a whole new animal. Times are changing in this world. People are changing every day. Make sure you keep your mind fresh and your life will be enriched in such a way that others cannot understand. I hope you can learn from my experience here. Something that seemed so wrong to me became an amazing opportunity for so much positive experience and change in my life.

Open up that mind…what have you got to lose?

Until sooner my friends

To Your Continued Success
Young Guns Always Wanted
Wesley Anderson