Attention Please! Love Needed!
by Marie T. Russell
 I strongly believe
everyone's basic need is to be loved. From
the baby to the elderly, everyone wants love. As I look around me, especially
if I look at what's happening in the world events, I realize that this basic
need has somewhat become distorted. The need for love has been translated by
some as the need for attention. When we were children, the people who loved us
also paid attention to us. We learned to interpret receiving attention as being
loved.
What happens? People who are starved for love go out and try
to get attention! Now some people may do that by becoming prominent in a
constructive way by being in theater, media, or the top in their field. Others
choose another route. They go the way of theft, murder, rape, bombs, wars, etc.
Gone are the days where we can sit and shake our heads at
how terrible the world has become... the youth of today... etc. We are part and
parcel of that world. If it has 'gone downhill' we are also responsible. We
have contributed to the society that has turned over their children to TV for
upbringing. We have supported those same programs that teach children (through
role-models) that crime is a way of getting attention. We even watch movies
that are real life stories of murderers of children and parents (talk about
giving them attention). There are no innocent bystanders here... we are all a
part of the scenario.
Even our beloved planet has gotten in on the action. She
also is looking for love... asking for us to nurture her, stop hurting her, etc. She is
vying for our attention through earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc. She is saying, along with all other
attention seekers, pay attention please. I need help, I need love. Is someone
out there? Can anyone help me? Is anybody listening?
The answer to the above questions is obviously
"yes". We are here, and we can help. We have already started to help
the planet somewhat by focusing on recycling, replanting trees, teaching
children (and adults) to love and nurture the planet and themselves. What can
we do for the violence, anger, crimes? My answer to that is: Pay attention! But
not by focusing on the crime, or on 'how terrible it is'... (i.e., Did you hear
what so-and-so did?, etc.) That is just rewarding aberrant behavior. We need to
start paying attention to the youth. Give them attention now before they turn
to criminal behavior to get noticed, to get the media to print their names, TV
to talk about them, and so on.
There is no need to look down upon people who have turned to
'negative' ways of eliciting attention. We need to reach out and help them out
of the rut they are in. We need to show them, by our caring and loving actions,
that there is another way to get attention. We need to help them learn that
attention backed by love is much more fulfilling and rewarding than attention
fueled by fear, anger, and rejection.
What can you do? As people who are
"into" higher consciousness and spirituality, we need to take
action—positive action. Contact your local schools and see what organizations
need volunteers. Donate your time to youth centers, offer used books to prison
libraries, organize some activities for children and teenagers where they can learn the
value of getting attention in positive and collaborative ways.
Ask city hall,
talk to the teachers, the baseball coaches, the parents. How can we start
giving children attention now? How can we help rehabilitate society so that
attention-seekers do not have to revert to crime. Let's provide opportunities
for supporting the development of self-esteem, self-respect and self-love in
the youth... This will lead to their respecting and loving the environment and
the people in it.
Let us also remember the adults. Look around you and see how
you can share your love and attention with those who need it. Sometimes, a
simple smile can make a world of difference... someone who didn't think they
mattered may feel special because you took the time to stop and chat, or to
really listen to them, or hold
the door open for them at the supermarket.
There is one commodity that we all have an
abundance of — love. It's free and it comes in an unlimited supply. Love is ours
to give. It is a powerful healer of emotional wounds. It answers all needs.
Let's share our love with those who need it (and don't we all?) and watch love
grow — and see the transformations happen! Go for it!
It is up to you. It is up
to each and every one of us. We are the light bearers. Let us shine our light where
it is needed, in the dark corners, in the gutters, in the hearts of those who
need it the most. It is wonderful to love other light bearers...that is easy.
Now let's go out and plant some seeds of light where they are greatly needed,
and really watch the world light up!
Recommended book:
A Way Out of the Trap: A Ten-step Program for Spiritual Growth
by Nathan Rutstein.
Info/Order
book
 About The Author
Marie
T. Russell is the founder of InnerSelf Magazine (founded 1985). She also
produced and hosted a weekly South Florida radio broadcast, Inner Power, from
1992-1995 which focused on themes such as self-esteem, personal growth, and
well-being. Her articles focus on transformation and reconnecting with our own
inner source of joy and creativity.
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