This word came up tonight. Not the word specifically, but the conversation centered around what was trying to be attracted. Attention was what was needed. Whether or not we want it, at times we are the center of someone’s attention. For a lot of us that is our goal. We want to be the center of the world for a person, a group of people, an organization, or for the minute few, an entire world. Having attention can be hard to handle for some, the drug that is needed for others, and an inconvenience for some that have become the center by circumstance.
When we are loved unconditionally the attention from the other is all we ever want. I heard a wise woman say, “I have had all the love I ever needed, and I will need nothing more.” Everyday, the attention was centered around her happiness, her goals, and her mission for that day. For the media hound the attention must be drawn in by remarks. What can be said, shown, or provoked to gain the attention that is strived for? Is it wrong? No way. If it can be gained it is a shared experience. Someone gives themselves by putting themselves out there. The bait has been cast out, with the bobber attached. As it floats around the sender sees nibbles bounce the bobber and then, with a flourish the bobber is under. We have a connection. Parts of the bait may flake off and more grab for a piece of it. This is exactly what was wanted when the cast hit the water. If the bobber sits there too long another place (comment, post, picture) must be tried. It is never a solo act. Someone puts the information forward and then it is absorbed by the interested parties.
Both above attentions are shared experiences where two willing parties get and accept what they want. Unconditional love and unabashed recognition. However, there are times that attention is given for the wrong reasons. Maybe you don’t dress right, speak properly, fit the mold of the masses, or vary your interests too much for the common core. Why does being an individual draw attention to those who want to be in the shadows? For some, they act in a way to gain the attention but for most they are happy in their own little world and don’t care if you visit or stay on your own planet. Why can’t we just let them stay there? Why must we care so much that we give them attention to draw out what they are trying so hard to hide? Truly, it is because we want the attention ourselves. Think about when you did something that everyone was opposed to you doing. When they spoke against you what did you do? Of course, you did it more. You were getting people to pay attention to you so why not continue doing it. As soon as the same people got bored or accepted your “stupidity” it wasn’t as fun as it was when everyone hated it.
Most of us lead lives that don’t put us in the public eye often. We are good with that. We have our core friends, associates, and acquaintances who like us for who we are and who accept our flaws as quirks that make us who we are. For those who are willing to put themselves out there for the attention they crave; you have two choices. Give it to them or ignore them. That’s it. Either play into it or not. If you don’t like it, shut up and move on. If you like it, support it with fervor. Don’t play both sides. There are way too many things that need your attention that if you don’t like what they are offering you’ve got plenty to spend your time on them.
This whole thought process came out of a great family dinner this evening. Elderly wisdom is something none of us can gain until we get there. Listening to them explain their love, love lost, and the thought processes of the one’s they surround themselves with really makes one think about their own existence. If you ever have the opportunity it would really benefit you to pay them as much attention as you can. Sometimes it is frustrating, mind numbing, and even repetitive, but it will open cracks in your thought processes that will make you wonder how important your iPhone really is. Enjoy them while they are here and learn from them as much as you can. They like your attention, but they are not likely to beg you for it.
Photo by Lotte Meijer on Unsplash
Photo by Cristian Newman on Unsplash
No comments:
Post a Comment