Addicted to attention part 3 – ways vanity expresses itself

Flaunting possessions, abilities and accomplishments. People who want attention will use this trick. They’ll showcase their cars, cash, clothes and homes, trying to impress. They’ll build their personal definitions around the things they do well. Whether they use their athletic abilities, their musical expertise, or their scholastic achievements to point out their dominance, you can be sure they’ll feature at least one thing in their always visible resume of superiority.

Fishing for compliments. “do you really think I’m pretty?” “How did I play?” Honest questions aren’t the problem; motive is the real issue here. Some people bait the hook and go looking for positive comments. Some have even mastered the skill of negative remarks to receive desired praise. “I hate my hair” or “I wish I had your body” are statements that usually result in affirmative remarks.

Laboring for attention. Some people continually strive to be the center of attention. If they’re not in the spotlight, they add either volume, humor or other personal investments to draw the attention back to them. Others will use their emotions to be noticed. These people have learned that a look of sadness and depression can guilt people into hovering and trying to cure what ails them. Vain people aren’t content unless they are the center of attention and they are either dominating the conversation or are the topics being discussed.

Rude & harmful comments. By humiliating others and pointing out their faults, some people can achieve some level of evil satisfaction as they vault themselves above others. Sometimes these actions are motivated by contempt for the unpopular people who are “beneath” them. At other times they’re inspired by jealousy. The benefit of this habit is twofold. The first advantage is state above – by pointing out others’ faults, people can make themselves look better. The second is more subtle. By wielding negative opinions, a person who is looking for attention can demand it. Sure, some people will be either afraid of them or embittered by them, but these emotions are better than some of the alternatives. Although they aren’t receiving the adulation of these people, at least they aren’t being ignored.

Exterior dressings. As vanity runs rampant in our society, it may be more visible in the styles and fashions of the day than in any other way. Young ladies craving affection will settle for the attention inappropriate clothing can attract. Young men who long for love will be satisfied as long as they are noticed. A subculture of people who hate to be ignored will use body art as they scream for recognition.

Adopted from momentum – gaining ground with God by Sean Dunn