The Fan Cam

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
—Proverbs 15:30

It catches you totally by surprise and when it does, smiles, cheers, grins, joy spontaneously erupt! Children or grandparents, tired parents, or weary tourists all react the same when the "Fan Cam" catches them.

Whoever developed this idea of focusing on individuals in the midst of a crowd brilliantly highlights the innate need each of us have to be recognized.

We took our Canadian brother and sister-in-law to see the Montreal Canadiens play the Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum. There were about 18,000 fans, a lot of them travelers from Canada. A gathering of friendly strangers that was transformed by the "Fan Cam" into what felt like a family reunion!

• The little kid with the hockey helmet,
• The guy in the funny wig,
• The lady caught singing along with the music,
• The family wearing the same team shirts,
• The couple who danced…

...all on a jumbo screen for the family to enjoy!

Each of us experiences the fundamental need to be recognized in some fashion, to share in an experience of belonging, to be able to enjoy the affirmation of connecting. While you may not have a crowd of 18,000 or a "Fan Cam" with you each day, you have something far superior.

You have your eyes, your smile, your voice and the unique gifts of personality and spirit that is you! Much better than any "Fan Cam," you have the ability to help nervous kids, anxious families, worried adults find belonging in a strange place, experience affirmation in a moment of anxiety, and know that they have connected with hope in the midst of doubt.

You can turn a waiting area, a hospital room, a procedures lab, a surgery suite, or a registration desk into a place of trust, belonging and hope with your own personal version of the "Fan Cam."