attention

Attention! Attention! Everywhere I look, there is someone who wants attention—someone getting too much attention—someone who needs attention—someone scared to death of attention—someone not paying attention. When did this concept of "attention" become such a big deal? Probably about the same time we figured out what high self-esteem was, but don’t quote me on that.

I have rather a love-hate relationship with attention, myself. I do not like to be ignored, to feel as though no one would care if I were absent. Nor do I like to be in the spotlight. I certainly don’t need or want all the attention. I do not expand in attention like a flower in the sun. Quite the opposite. I may be witty and bouncy and having fun, but the instant I feel all eyes on me, I start to shrink back. Words get hard to find. No matter how hyper I get, I’m still an introvert at heart.

I suppose I’m pretty normal in my need for a balanced amount of attention. If I were going to get all philosophical, I’d say that most things in life can be framed by the perspective of "a balanced amount of attention." Paying too much attention to work, or not enough attention…bad trouble. Paying too much attention or not enough to your personal hygiene…bad trouble.