Found in Translation: Acting Meraki

Not everything we do is motivated by passionate, burning feelings. But when we do, it's always visible, no matter what action or deed that may be. This action is the sort which seeks nothing in return -- an unconditional move or act that is done out of your love, care, and good will. ‘Labor of love’, as some would say, but the Greeks have a more nuanced word for it: meraki.

According to NPR, 'This is a word that modern Greeks often use to describe doing something with soul, creativity, or love — when you put "something of yourself" into what you're doing, whatever it may be.'

The term is derived from the Turkish word merak, which pertains to labor of love, or to do something with pleasure. It's a verb and adverb simultaneously, applied to our actions. it's to do something out of passion, will, love and devotion — you put heart and soul into that action.

You do meraki when you're tending to your infant, or when you're taking care of a sick family member or doing a favor for a friend.

Our hobbies also come to mind, Meraki is also at play when an artist is carefully dotting out their paintbrush on the canvas, as if a delicately stroking a loved one. It's when you see a singer screaming out the highest of notes of a song with all of their might, head up to the sky, mouth open to its fullest to pour out those vocals. Meraki is when a ballet dancer perfectly stretches out the grand pas de chat, or an athlete running a marathon, gasping for every breath.

And you know what? Meraki is when you patiently wait for the decisive moment before clicking the shutter of your camera. Meraki manifests itself naturally in anything you put your heart and soul into, and you can easily capture this in photographs by seeking out people who put the full might of their spirit into their actions, and they are everywhere.

People who meraki are always worth the portrait, so make sure you curate their images in your LomoHome.

escrito por cielsan el 2018-10-29 #cultura #found-in-translation #meraki