Others are usually watching us, not in a creepy way, but in order to gain inspiration by learning how we react to frustration, disappointment, annoyance, etc. Even if we think we’re in our own little silos, working from home, away from the world, our attitudes and responses seep into everything we do including our texts, emails, phone calls, social media posts, and even how we say hello (or don’t) to our neighbors.
My daughter and I were reminded of just how often people are watching us, when we were in Greece on vacation years ago. We had found a small secluded pond surrounded by vegetation, in the middle of absolutely nowhere. We decided it would be a daring thing to go skinny dipping, since no one could possibly be anywhere nearby. You can guess the punch line of course. A few minutes later as we’re enjoying a glorious swim, we see a telephoto lens directed our way. We dressed in seconds and ran up the hill and through the vegetation, never finding the owner of the camera.
Even when we don’t anticipate, someone is usually observing us and our behavior. And the more we can remember to pause, collect our thoughts and respond in a way that will move us forward, the more we create an environment of tolerance, patience and positivity. It’s always up to us.
