An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less. Arthur Bloch, American Author (b. 1948-)
I recently watched a master choreographer in rehearsal, and it changed how I see intelligence.
They spoke English, but I didn’t understand the language. No explanations—just murmurs like “shoulder back” or “turn your head.” Somehow, everyone knew. A tiny cue passed between expert bodies, and the entire piece transformed. I was astonished by that fluency—the precision, the trust.
We’re taught to value intelligence we can explain or measure. But in that studio, intelligence lived beyond words—shaped by years of practice, instinct honed through repetition.
It was niche intelligence at work, raw, embodied and magnificent. And once you notice it, you see it everywhere: the mechanic who listens to engines, the chef who tastes and knows, the friend who reads unspoken emotions.
What moved me most was watching experts remain students—adjusting, refining, still learning.
Intelligence hides in plain sight. In a world that profits from distraction, listen for the quiet expertise all around you.
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Stay Well,
Eileen
We often talk about the science and art of nursing. I recently had an ill family member. Seeing those with the art of comfort was so reassuring to me and those who did not have it were so clean. But could I point to it? Little things like taking the empty cups, touching patient, eye contact, bring family a cup of water. But those are outward signs of the bigger talent for art of nursing.
I just had a similar experience with a gravely ill friend… watching masterful nurses in action- it is a beautiful think to watch. Thank you!
The Art of Caring in the touch of the hand. I understand sometimes this is carefully grazed upon in our profession due to the fear of being misunderstood.
Over the past 45 years as a Nurse, I touched many hands, some pushed toward mine and others pulled away. The attempt to touch for me has always been careful and intentional. At the end of the day I always have chosen to try in case that is what that person really needed.
Recently I was in a Nursing Home visiting my Father. When I asked him if he had a call bell he could not answer if he did. Neither could my Mother neither could the Nurse. All I knew was it was not there. I looked at the wall and there was one hanging on the wall for the bed next to my Father where the patient was discharged. In the space where my Fathers call be should have been was a dummy bell to shut off the light but no extension to the bed for the patient. Why was it that way, no response. Make sure if you are visiting anyone in the hospital or a nursing home that the person has an active nurse call bell near their hand attached to the bed they are in AND THEY KNOW HOW TO USE ITT!!!
Just an FYI from my 45 years of Nursing experience