The French writer Albert Camus wrote, “A man’s life is nothing but a slow trek to rediscover through the detours…those one or two images in whose presence his heart first opened.” Similarly, poet Stanley Kunitz believed that writers are often drawn to key images that captivated them as children, revisiting and reworking these images throughout…
David Lynch, the legendary director of films like The Elephant Man and Eraserhead, was once asked by Terry Gross on Fresh Air what he does when he makes a movie. After a long pause, he replied, “You know, when I’m making a movie, I don’t know what I’m doing.” Of course, something is guiding him,…
Thomas Aquinas once wrote, “To know a thing is to awaken to its depth, complexity, and presence.” According to Aquinas, everything—and everyone—secretly and profoundly desires to be known. Teaching and learning have always been my passions, and Aquinas’ insight illuminates how central beauty is to both. Beauty, in this sense, is about depth—the depth at…
I recently had a thought-provoking conversation with a friend about whether the images and metaphors that surface in our subconscious are “real.” Like dreams, I believe these images have something to teach us, and on that point, my friend and I agree. However, his concern lies with what I call a “key image.” Key images…
Imagination is indirect, nonlinear, and often delightfully messy. It doesn’t deliver quick fixes or numerically precise solutions but instead takes us to new perspectives and possibilities. By opening our imaginations, we challenge norms and venture into uncharted territory. It’s no wonder this process can feel intimidating—creativity often brings us face-to-face with unfamiliar and quirky insights…
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