Children Need Attention
Thus, every person needs and craves excitement in his nefesh. One person may attain it through a novel Torah insight, and another person may attain it through a profundity he finds in matters of his connection to his Maker. Another may feel excitement from connection with other people, and a fourth person may experience it from connection to the Ribbono shel Olam. When a person expresses thanks to Hashem, it will generally bring him great excitement, because it causes him to focus on the many kindnesses that Hashem has given him. Through this, he recognizes the love and the Hashgachah Pratis ofrom Hashem at every turn. This arouses and awakens within him a feeling of excitement, which, as said, is a necessity for the human race. If he doesn’t experience it from good things, he will surely seek it elsewhere.
We see it in young children. When they don’t get our attention, they will make sure that they get it. Just as they’re not ashamed to ask their friends for a nosh, they’re uninhibited from demanding attention from their parents or elders. If we give it to them in a positive way, they’ll be satisfied. But if they don’t get it in a positive way, they will do extreme things—not necessarily positive—to ensure that they get it. It is a law of our design; a child needs attention.
