Saturday 21 / December / 2024
Last week, while I was in a supermarket, a small boy ran and skidded on the floor between shelves and knocked down a few things on the floor.
His parents slapped him and apologized to the staff. What they did not know was that their child only wanted an attention. Obviously they were neglecting him at home and he found the supermarket a perfect place to attract their attention. I am afraid that habit never outgrew us as we grow older. We all need attention from people around us and it does not matter how old we get.
A month ago, I was invited to a ceremony by high-powered government officials and the private sector’s business leaders. Their actions and mannerism spoke volumes. They all had something in common. Just like that boy in the supermarket, they demanded attention but in a different way. It was all about “exposure” as one of them put it. They were competing with each other by wits, quick answers or elaborate pauses when they took photos. I could not help thinking that no matter what responsibility they have or money they collect every month as salary, they are all just kids deep inside.
They would have been forgiven if at least they have gathered there for a good cause instead of given themselves awards. I mentally calculated the net worth of their business operations. The combined wealth they control is over $10 billion. It means people in that room, not more than 30, can make a big difference to Oman’s poor families. Yet they contribute very little to the society. The same society that makes them rich or give them responsible positions to look after under privileged people. I also watched them clapped for each other when each received an award. In the end, as if it was not enough, they patted each other on the backs to congratulate one another.
In a way, they needed an attention when they think they cannot get it from the public. When you come to think of it, they all are perched in their high offices most of the week completely isolated from the rest. In a broader sense, we all thrive for a recognition no matter where we are or what we do. If we don’t get it then we go to a greater length to achieve it. But we all forget the real objective of life.
The essence, though it is easy said than done, is not self-centeredness but that unselfish act towards other people. I remember, when I was growing up, a man who lived a few houses away from our home had a small verandah in front of his house. Every afternoon he would sit there and waited for people. He had coffee, fruits and sweets on a big tray on the table. People just stopped over and helped themselves. Some they sat and chatted with him while others just picked something and continued walking.
You may argue that he might have been a lonely man who was seeking attention. But then, if you flip the coin and look the other side of the argument, he was simply doing all that for unselfish reason, just to put a smile on people’s faces. People never thought much of it until one day when he did not turn up at his verandah. They found him dead in kitchen while he was preparing for another afternoon to host the street people. Since then, that road was never the same. His death took the heart away from the neighbourhood. There are such examples in every walk of light but the meaning is the same. We are all seeking attention but the method we use are different.
