WR - Issue 10: People Pleasing
Today's Photo -
alligator in Wakodahatchee Wetlands
When I first started photographing this alligator, I was fascinated because I had never seen a head-on view of one. He looks somewhat passive and, also, "all knowing." Perhaps he's thinking, " I know something that you don't know."
The whimsical green on the snout is duckweed from the water out of which he came to rest here, a common pasttime of most of the alligators I see at Wakodahatchee Wetlands.
It's interesting for me to observe my own reaction, getting caught up in the "crowd mentality" of everyone being excited if one or more alligators are found during a walk on the elevated boardwalk there. When I see one I immediately want to share it with others. AND, I don't even particularly care for alligators!
I had mixed emotions on even using this picture here. Whereas I thought it might be gruesome, a few friends found it appealing. So here it is.
Self-Reflecting Queries -
I mentioned "crowd mentality" above, not particularly excited by seeing alligators and yet responding to other walkers who are and wanting to share what I've seen.
I'm wondering, "Is it people pleasing?" "Wanting to be liked?" Interesting. Why am I even concerned with being liked my strangers? Of course, most of us like to "look good," so pointing out to people what they want to see is one way for me to set up that experience for myself.
On the other hand, in terms of getting excited, I've learned that very often excitement comes simply from generating it, rather than waiting for it to happen. Thus becoming excited and sharing has me achieve that state for myself.
Can you recall experiences that relate to what I am describing? Whatever your answer is, I invite you to do some intentional experiments of speaking and/or acting enthusiastically, especially when you "don't feel like it."
Have fun with it, especially as you observe the results.
Today's Photo -alligator in Wakodahatchee Wetlands
When I first started photographing this alligator, I was fascinated because I had never seen a head-on view of one. He looks somewhat passive and, also, "all knowing." Perhaps he's thinking, " I know something that you don't know."
The whimsical green on the snout is duckweed from the water out of which he came to rest here, a common pasttime of most of the alligators I see at Wakodahatchee Wetlands.
It's interesting for me to observe my own reaction, getting caught up in the "crowd mentality" of everyone being excited if one or more alligators are found during a walk on the elevated boardwalk there. When I see one I immediately want to share it with others. AND, I don't even particularly care for alligators!
I had mixed emotions on even using this picture here. Whereas I thought it might be gruesome, a few friends found it appealing. So here it is.
Self-Reflecting Queries -
I mentioned "crowd mentality" above, not particularly excited by seeing alligators and yet responding to other walkers who are and wanting to share what I've seen.
I'm wondering, "Is it people pleasing?" "Wanting to be liked?" Interesting. Why am I even concerned with being liked my strangers? Of course, most of us like to "look good," so pointing out to people what they want to see is one way for me to set up that experience for myself.
On the other hand, in terms of getting excited, I've learned that very often excitement comes simply from generating it, rather than waiting for it to happen. Thus becoming excited and sharing has me achieve that state for myself.
Can you recall experiences that relate to what I am describing? Whatever your answer is, I invite you to do some intentional experiments of speaking and/or acting enthusiastically, especially when you "don't feel like it."
Have fun with it, especially as you observe the results.
posted by Sheila Finkelstein at
9:35 PM
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