Comments on: Why It’s Great To Want Attention

By: Chris Edgar

Chris Edgar — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:42:35 +0000

Hi Evan — I like that way of putting it — that remembering how childlike we remain in some ways keeps us from getting all self-important and status-obsessed as adults.

By: Evan

Evan — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:08:28 +0000

Well, I’ll own up to sometimes being a needy child in a grown-ups body. And that even when I’m being adult having someone caring for me deeply (which certainly involves them paying attention to me) feels great.

The good in knowing that I’m a needy child? An end to grandiosity and a dose of humility.

By: Chris Edgar

Chris Edgar — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:37:21 +0000

Hi Davina — thanks for the heads up. I agree — I don’t think wanting attention is “narcissistic” either, at least in the negative way that people often use the term. Like you say, I think people tend to feel vulnerable admitting that they want someone else’s attention (which seems to be a necessary part of, say, intimate relationships), and with this post I want to give some encouragement to people who are reluctant to admit it and thus actually end up holding themselves back in life.

By: Davina

Davina — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:42:37 +0000

Hi Chris.
For some strange reason this post is not showing in my Reader. The last post of yours that I can see is “Guest Post at Awake Is Good: Clear Mind, Wise Heart”. All this time I’ve been wondering when your next post would be. Thankfully Sara told me about this one. I’m going to delete the old subscription and re-subscribe to this feed.

Unless I’ve misunderstood… I’m not convinced that wanting attention equates to narcissism. I think it’s a normal human desire. From my perspective, I would feel at some disadvantage if I admitted I needed or wanted attention from someone. And a narcissist wouldn’t, from what I believe, see themselves in that way; that would admit a weakness. Course, I’m no expert on this; these are just my thoughts.

But I do get what you’re saying about wanting to be noticed; to share what we are good at. Cause usually when we know we are good at something, we want to share it.

By: Chris Edgar

Chris Edgar — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:39:24 +0000

Hi Jannie — yes, maybe “energy exchange” is a more uplifting term for it than “getting attention.” Also, I revel in your normalcy too. And you can definitely count me among the people who would like you to veer in the direction of sharing your songs.

By: Jannie Funster

Jannie Funster — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:16:13 +0000

Getting comments and attention on my blog is such icing on the cake when I have put up a post that I felt particularly inspired and creative with. The energy exchange on that is the best feeling! I just love the whole blogging medium, how one can create and express not only with words, but with photos, MP3s, and video too. It really is a limitless canvas. (And I revel in my normalcy for enjoying the attention!)

And funny with writing songs, if they were just for me, I’d be fine with that forever, the sheer creation and fruition of bringing a song idea full circle. But people are always asking me to share, so I do veer in that direction sometimes!

By: Chris Edgar

Chris Edgar — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:13:48 +0000

Hi Sara — I think that’s a great way to put it — that the desire for attention is just part of being a social creature, and there’s no need to pretend that part of our nature doesn’t exist.

Some of my music is already available at http://www.purposepowercoaching.com/site/?p=680. I hope you enjoy it!

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:53:52 +0000

Chris — I think you are right on about accepting our need for attention. When you get down to the basics, we are social creatures and the need for attention comes with this. I agree that it’s not a good or a bad thing, unless it goes to extremes.

I also agree we should celebrate the things we love to do and invite others to be a part of this. I love blogging not only because I can share my writings with others, but also because bloggers share a mutual “attention” to each other. It’s part of the etiquette of blogging:~)

BTW: Some time ago on Davina’s site, you mentioned that you were going to start sharing your music on your blog. I would love to give some of my “attention” to your music…hopefully soon:~)

By: Chris Edgar

Chris Edgar — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:14:27 +0000

Hi Mark — it sounds like you would do what you’re doing even if no one noticed, which seems wonderful to me. And, if there’s anyone reading this who occasionally finds themselves wanting attention (I know sometimes I do), I just want to invite them to celebrate that desire, instead of beating themselves up over it.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:17:51 +0000

Chris,
I believe attention is a by-product of our passion. I believe Michelangelo and Michael Jackson created because they loved to create and that the attention was a plus and for some like M. Jackson the attention in many ways became a negative. We create and do what we do because of our passions. We do often enjoy the attention, however if that attention went away many of would still continue to do what we love.