Giving the Gift of Paying Attention to Others

[Mar 10:47 KJV] 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, [thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.

In today’s fast-paced culture, attention has become a rare and desired gift. Jesus had an uncanny ability to make people think they had His undivided, unshakeable attention. We are to follow in His example. Do we ignore others? Trivialize their concerns? Dismiss their efforts to engage with us? People are constantly distracted, whether it be by technology, work, or other responsibilities, and rarely give their full attention to others. However, the need for attention is a basic human need, and when people do not receive it, they suffer. Giving the gift of attention is simple and valuable and can be given to spouses, children, family members, employees, service industry workers, and friends. To give attention, one must put away distractions, be present, make eye contact, and listen fully. Giving attention can have a positive impact on both the giver and the receiver, and can help fulfill the basic human need to be seen and valued. Try giving attention to others for a day and see the difference it makes.