Focus and Perspective

You can't always have the big picture in mind.

People who have the big picture in mind, in some ways become narrowly focused. They have an incredible dedication and resolve. Their minds are fixed and set on a goal. Often they will do whatever it takes, climb whatever ladder, to get there. Such as Wu Zhao, some crazy evil ancient Chinese Emperor, and a woman. She started out as the lowest rung on the ladder, and worked her way up through concubines and imperial courts to become emperor. She knew from the start this was what she wanted and did whatever it took to get there, however cruel or immoral. But what is the point? What do you do when you achieve your goal, reach the pinnacle? If "the big picture" is always your focus, i think it is much more possible to become narrow minded, screening out all else except what will get you there.

Art is different.

In order to appreciate a work of art, or music, you have to focus try and appreciate what the artist or writer or composer is doing. See the whole thing as a piece, and integrating parts, patterns, a series of repetitions, with meaning. Art has soul. It is a piece of the artist. This is why art is hard. You must become vulnerable, spill yourself onto a page, open up your insides and reveal it to the world. Becoming vulnerable is hard, because it is so easy to become hurt. You have to protect your soul and guard your heart, in some ways we are all afraid of being hurt, of being broken, or stepped on, or wounded, no one wants to become vulnerable. This is why art is so special. It connects us all. In some ways art binds our soul to the soul of another. The artist is becoming vulnerable when he creates it, and we become vulnerable when we experience it, when we focus, when we try and interpret, and understand, and appreciate what the artist has done.

Art is about focusing.. but without the big picture no one can get anywhere in life. too much focus on the big picture, leaves us blinded, and narrow minded, tunnel visioned on a goal. i guess it is not really possible for humans to consider or even imagine everything. so when faced with a world full of people, and life, goals, noise, entertainment, work, flashy lights, and honking horns, we tend to focus. we have to focus, or else we get lost in the swirling mass, we get swept away, forgotten. in order for us to make sense of this craziness, to avoid the riptide and undercurrent pulling us away, we have to focus on something and reach. reach and grab ahold of something, that will keep us grounded, something that makes sense. this is how we live life, focusing, and grabbing ahold of anything to keep us grounded. this can be art, music, work, hobbies, anything. some are obviously stronger and roots run deeper then others. some are flimsy and fragile, as soon as one grabs ahold of it, it tears off.. and they find themselves spiraling down, swept away again.. these are things like drugs, smoking, alcohol, anything that is done to "ease the pain" to "forget about the world". these roots will not hold for long.

God knows the big picture and he knows the small details, and he is a root that will not break, under any stress. anyone who grabs firmly onto him will be sure to never be swept away in the big picture and enveloping riptide.