On October 24, 1901, a 63-year old school teacher named Annie Edson Taylor garnered some fleeting attention. On this day, she became the first person to take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
After her husband died in the Civil War, she traveled all over the United States. Finally, she settled down in Bay City, Michigan in 1898. Strapped for cash and seeking fame, Taylor came up with the perfect attention-getting stunt. She would go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
Did she survive?
Yes. Not all who have attempted this stunt have been so lucky. But the attention and cash she sought never materialized to the degree she had hoped.
So, this gets me to thinking about the lengths to which people will go for some attention. Even risky, ill-advised lengths. In the end, I really don’t hold any significant judgment for Annie Edson Taylor.
I just wonder how well I am doing at giving attention and communicating love to the people in my life. Even in the little things. I want my loved ones to know that they have my love and attention.
Who needs your attention?
Worth Repeating
Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.
-Jim Rohn
