Attention
Food will usually call a dog to attention, but here the owner had snapped her fingers and they all sat to attention. My husband once said in a joking matter that it’s too bad that kids don’t react the same way! He was of course, upset that someone had not been paying attention. Getting ones attention is the first step in teaching someone something of value, or in providing a service. 
I recall a professor of mine who was teaching an education class. She told us that as teachers, we needed to be able to hold the attention of students for their own safety. If a ceiling were about to fall down or some emergency were to take place, we would need to have control and save them. It would be for everyone’s benefit. She was teaching us to be caring and responsible for the lives of our future students.
So how do we care for ourselves and reward those who do pay attention? Reward those in your life with phone calls, with going out to dinner, with taking time to be with them. Reward yourself with a walk, a time of silence, or something special. Pay attention to your own needs and reward yourself so you don’t find resentment instead.
People who are in marketing try to get our attention all the time. They try different techniques to get us aware of foods, drugs, programs, and products. They use pictures to say what words cannot say. They try to sell us things so money can be exchanged and they will benefit.
Staying attention focused is very hard. We have intrusive emails and phone calls. We have the doorbell ringing or a dog barking. Even when we are driving, it is easy to be distracted by someone dropping a drink or doing something unnecessary. Eliminating distractions by being aware they are around is easier. I have learned to lock myself in the office so I can record podcasts. I shut the phone off and keep food out of the room I work in that has equipment.
Children will often do the wrong things to get attention. They will misbehave or do something outlandish to have attention drawn to them. Being aware of this is one way to help. Listen carefully to what people say. Hear the words they don’t say.
What do you want attention for doing or saying? Do you want people to call you more? Do you want to learn something new? Does someone want attention from you? Do you find your own behaviors changing?
Hoping you are giving yourself good attention! “Delight in Living”