Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Victorious Living

Home
Family, Parenting and Religion
Why People Watching is Vital to Human Development

Why People Watching is Vital to Human Development

Last updated on: September 8, 2019 at 11:25 pm by Victorious Living

Why People Watching is Vital to Human Development 2019-09-08T23:25:58-04:00 Victorious Living

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It’s a practice New Yorkers know well. People watching. It’s easier to name in big cities with large public spaces. But the truth is we are all people watchers, and practicing it has a significant impact on our human development.

The Early Stages

As infants, we start out with a very me-centered worldview. Everything is new and everything is measured by the way it affects us. It’s a hard habit to break. Some people will go their entire lives knowing nothing else.

During these early stages, we develop an appreciation for ME. We see our fingers and our toes, learn to use our words. We splash around in puddles and see that we have an influence on how wet we get.

It is profoundly important for human development. To see that we matter. To explore our unique emotions and ideas.

But it isn’t enough. Our society has come to value what it calls individualism. Unfortunately, most of the time what we really mean by this is the infant stage of human development. For progressing is not only important for the society we participate in, but for the development of the individual as well.

The Watchers

Something happens at some point. We start to see other people. We’re fascinated by the way they dress, they way the act, and the words they say. A pastor friend of mine says that you have reached maturity when you understand that those other people in the world matter just as much as you do.

It isn’t just a game to sit at the park or in the mall and watch the people go by. Our minds, hearts, and souls are leaning out towards the others.

We’ve grown up in our own experiences, with our own values and beliefs. What about theirs? What have they done? Why are they doing what they’re doing now?

We are longing for community, to move from a ME-centered world to a We-centered one. The ME is not eradicated but enveloped. It becomes part of a larger puzzle.

People are fascinating. I’ve seen all sorts in all settings. Something in my soul leaps at the idea of them. Their story. The strange coincidence that they are crossing paths with ME at this very moment, that we are part of a landscape together.

This is the beauty of people watching. It awakens our need to belong, to be part of. The need for WE to dominate our perspective.

The Watched

One fascinating side of this we often miss. In a world of people-watchers, we are not just the watchers but the watched. The same people we are observing are observing us.

This is the great opportunity that happens when ME collides with WE. Each of us has the ability to influence others, to be a part of shaping the culture of our communities. WE is not just an experience of observation but of participation. All of us are blessed to be on both sides of influence.

Previous Post

November 7, 2018

Do You Really Value Your Values?

Next Post

November 12, 2018 How Solitude and Silence Prepares You for Relationship

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Choices Conflict Resolution Culture Change Emotions Failure Faith Fear Freedom V Growth Healthy Communication Hope Identity Influence Leadership Learn Mistakes Mood Curve Ownership Perspective Power Relationships Self-Awareness Self-Governance Systems Thinking Three Things You Control Transformational Leadership Trust Truth Uncategorized Values Vision

Select a Month January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: John's Gospel identifies Jesus as 'the Lamb of God' in the first chapter.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE

Books by This Author Books by Victorious Living

See All Titles »