Economy of the Heart
“If it doesn’t help, it hurts.” — from a discussion on photographic composition
This fundamental economy of expression is true in other mediums as well. More words do not necessarily bring more value to written work. We appreciate Matisse and Picasso for their depth of communication through the use of a single line.
This economy has a translation for action, too. How we spend our time matters. Economy of action suggests that right action is exactly enough.
Each day we are faced with people and circumstances that demand our attention. We can avoid them temporarily, but they will not be ignored forever. Whether we are faced with an individual or an emotion, if we don’t acknowledge them directly, we will engage with them indirectly.
Our unfinished business will come out sideways.
In an unfair world, right action can be challenging. When we have been wronged, anger comes easily. When we are presented with undesirable circumstances, we may wish to recede. Pull the covers over our heads and give up. Or simply escape into the alternative reality of our choice.
Each moment we choose to be less than grateful, we are choosing to be ungrateful. Each time we choose to resent, we are choosing not to love. When we wish for a different past or imagine a distant future, we are choosing to relinquish the present moment. We don’t get it back.
Help Ever, Hurt Never…it says on my House of Blues mug–a litmus test when considering next steps like carefully cropping a photograph.
Knowing what is right to do and doing what is right are two different things.
Gratefully, each day we are afforded the opportunity to begin again to exercise the economy of action…the economy of the heart…to help ever.
One Comment
Stacie France
One of the best yet! Keep going