A lot of people talk about filters and their influence on the way they perceive the world. However, not many people consider how many of them exist and what they actually are, alternate reality.

There are religious filters that tend to make everyone think they are being judged when indeed no one really just wastes time judging everyone. Also we have academic filters that tend to make some people think their major is better than others. Similar to academic filters would be political filters, which tend to make others think their views are right and everyone else is simply wrong in theirs. This list could go on and on, basically if you have a belief its going to influence what you perceive when something happens or someone says something

Recently I was introduced to a new type of filter. This one was a bit odd compared to the rest, at least to me it was. I worked at a Christian summer camp this year, there was no internet access or cell phone use. I know, half of you are cringing as you read that last sentence. This lack of communication was intended to provide focus and detox for the campers and counselors. What it also did was breed a filter known as camp goggles. I wasn't aware of the growth of this filter over the staff until one of the other counselors talked about it. Camp goggles, you put them on going into camp and when you come out its like you're blinded by reality.

When you go into camp you have this nice little bubble. You aren't aware of terrorist attacks on the country, the latest horrifying thing our "wonderful" candidates have said, or who broke up with who. Its a nice bubble, the drama is nothing more than who skipped flagpole that particular morning. Coming out into the real world and hearing about the latest shootings or the reality of where our country is headed can make anyone want to climb right back in that safe bubble by the river.

But you can't, while living with camp goggles is amazing and safe, it's not real. It is real for the moment, for the week, or for the entire summer if you're ambitious and committed yourself to two months of sleep deprivation and bug bites. But it's not reality, just like every filter each of us possesses. Our filters, goggles, and worldviews are just alternate realities. These things we see the world through are what define our actions and reactions. They are the reason that while we see one thing our friend may see something completely different. Filters have the ability to change the way we think, feel, and treat others.

So, when you stop to question why someone is doing something or reacting a certain way, be sure that you remember that their reality is different from your own. They may be wearing rape goggles from a past experience or they may be using a filter that's a little cracked and broken because they've been broken a few too many times. Be kind, courteous, and understanding. Especially when someone gives you the opportunity to see through their filter. What makes them wear it is something significant to them, you can't change it so just try it on and try to understand it.

Also, don't be afraid to take off your goggles and remove your filters and see the world for what it truly is, reality.