Adding by Subtracting

From my teaching days… Numeracy started with counting – knowing the words recognising the numbers. Then came simple sums – addition and subtraction – using counters, bricks, animals, cars… The children learn that when you add you get more, when you take away you have less.

We take that principle into life. If I add to my money, friends, clothes, supermarket trolley contents, I have more; if I take some away I have less…

However…

Yesterday, reflecting on…

…Friends’ health conditions. One has been diagnosed with diabetes; another with a heart condition must lose weight. By taking things away from their diet they should add to their fitness and life expectancy. Another had recovered from cancer surgery; taking away the cancer had added to their good health and wellbeing.

…A young heating engineer fitted our boiler twelve years ago. Recently he came for its annual service. I learned… His business had grown. Eight men worked for him. The bureaucracy and paperwork got too much. He cut back. Now it’s just him and his brother doing what he enjoys and is good at…

…A friend’s responsible, well-paid job brought pressure, stress and long hours for many years. He’s applying for new jobs; less money, responsibility and pressure will bring more time with his family and a better work life balance. Less is more.

…Other examples: In our music practice… less instruments, less volume brings more understanding, more clarity… In our relationships… taking away a toxic relationship can bring better relationships with others… In our habits or addictions – by taking away the bad we add to the good.

This period of lent is about adding by taking away, giving something up to gain something better…

…When Jesus called his disciples, they left their nets to follow Him… Jesus taught: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’ It’s a basic Christian life principle, a paradox, the opposite of my primary school number teaching – gaining by giving away, winning by losing, adding by subtracting.