Gears on left are inverse to gears on right?
Don't stress about having a Target bike. If it meets your needs it's all good.

I think the answer to your question is - yes, you are right. If "H" is at the top on the left side and 7 is at the bottom on the right side then they are inverse of each other.

On the left side if you twist toward the "H" (High range) the front derailleur will shift the chain onto the large chain ring. Twist the left side to "L" (Low range) and the shifter will move the chain to the small chain ring.

On the right side if you twist toward the "1" the rear derailleur will move the chain toward the large gear and toward "7" will move the chain to the smaller gear.

Shifting should be done while pedaling.
This guy shows a bike shifting gears in his video
https://binged.it/2U02q6t

People have different strategies for using the gears on their bike.
I like to leave the left side in the low range and shift only the right side. I move to the high range when going down hill.