Someone is looking out for you.

When I think about this it takes me back to when I was a child and I thought that there were invisible camera men following me around. Someone whether you think so or not is out there thinking about you and what you need. It could be simple like seeing your hands full and opening a door for you. Or bigger like basic human needs like food, shelter and clothing. Let’s really start with the most base of things we as humans need and that is Love. Even if you are a single child and all your relatives are dead, there is someone out there that cares for you in a loving and kind way. You may not even know them, but they are there. Dark times enter every life, but having an understanding that you are thought of and cared about can provide even a pinpoint of light for you to keep your eyes on.

Even those folks that depend on local, state and national government provide that looking out for (however, good or bad that service might be.) It is easy to feel like there is no such thing at work. You are on your own and whatever happens, trust no one and no body. Depending on your situation that could be true. Instinctually we do primarily think about ourselves, but I refuse to believe that it is so widespread that you can’t count on anyone to support you.

I agree that perhaps the person you need the support from, like your boss or the person who has decision making power regarding your employment status. However, there is someone in the office that recognizes your value and talks about it to other people. Life is about more than whether you are being publicized for a promotion. Sometimes it’s about getting some street credit which might lead to more responsibility. Maybe it comes in a small package that you don’t notice or recognize as someone looking out for your interests. Even in ugly work places there are some rays of sunshine that do their best to make sure that everyone gets a little ray pointed in the direction of a deserving employee when they can. Let those things motivate you to enjoy coming to work and enduring the items that aren’t great for you. Better yet, find your own way to look outside of your own needs and think about people you can look out for.

Home is the easiest place to feel comfortable in the thought that someone is looking out for you. Your parents, your children, your friends, relatives, you name it someone out there knows you are there and wonders if you are OK. We are all terribly aware of the people out there that need help recognizing that someone is watching or quietly helping in some way.

The biggest challenge I face regarding someone looking out for me is not whether someone is doing this. I have an emotional understanding that this isn’t about whether someone is trying to get me promoted, or that I am getting something material from assistance. For me I am comfortable that emotionally at work I know I am valued and through that someone is looking out for my health and wellbeing. The rest will sort itself out. The challenge for me is to continuously be that person that is looking out for someone else. Recognizing I am only a piece of this community and part of my responsibility is to look around and see when someone needs to know that they are noticed and make sure and let a person know that I care about how they are and whether they succeed.

Don’t you look out for complete strangers? Hold the door for someone? Holler after someone who dropped something as they walked by? Contact someone if you find their wallet? Someone is paying attention to you. What, or who are you paying attention to?