If you have a child in your life, you’ve received the “WATCH ME” command.
I very distinctly remember how reading a good book around the pool was an impossibility 10 years ago because I was always be called by daughters, nieces, and nephews to watch their newest back dive, belly flop, or olympic feat. And of course, each was better than the last (no, not really, but that's what I said!)
I thought I was past that stage, but I was wrong. I heard it again last night while I was taping my Brittney energetically and joyfully flushing out rabbits, squirrels, birds, and even a deer. You can see it in the video. He makes this funny jump, then looks over to make sure I am watching. It made me laugh then, and it makes me laugh even now.
We all want to be seen and heard. Whether we do a beautiful back dive or a belly flop, we want affirmation. We want to be accepted by those we love and admire. We want to belong.
Kids and puppies are great about communicating this need. Younger workers are also more willing to ask to be acknowledged. But I wish we all felt permission to yell “watch me” when we are trying to do something new or great.
One more thing…after my Brittney briefly checks to see if I’m watching, he goes right back to finding animals, a task his breed’s been trained to do. I wondered to myself, does he consider this work or play? Both, says James Michener, who made this excellent observation.
“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play… He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he is always doing both.”
I hope you have work that seems like play and makes you want to yell “watch me” to the ones you love and admire…and I hope they look your way.
P.S. I needed 20 minutes and lots of soap to get all the mud off that dog!!
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