Whether or not we are aware of the impact a person or event might have on our lives, we fine ourselves referring to a situation, a place, a person, an image that haunts our memory. Perhaps the image has left an indelible mark on our daily lives, or maybe it is a thought we nurture and call upon infrequently. Regardless of the situation or image, this mysterious “thing” has caused us to stop, take notice, and hopefully reflect.

Artists rely on the feelings that are inherent in these sacred moments – they create from this place, they refer to the implications of the moment, they see something universal and uniquely private. What was one of these moments for you? What forced you to stop? What brought you to your earthly experience and took you away from what could have been a monotonous day? Was it a scene in a film? A song? Something someone said to you?

Tell me about this thing. What meaning does it have in your life? Can you find the words to describe it? Are there no words for it? Did you recognize the “thing” as being significant when it was happening? Do you think about it often?

Most importantly – how do you know it was pivotal? Are there psychological analyses of what happened to you? Why did you feel the way you did? Why do you feel the way you do now? Is there evidence of a similar situation in your past? In someone else’s past? Is there something tangible about the evidence? is it a gut feeling? Is your personal truth your evidence?

This will be an essay of at least 3 pages wherein you may reveal who you are artistically speaking. Do you want to relay the story in a comical way? Poetically? In prose with images? Though the format only allows you to communicate with words on paper – can you come close to bringing to light the impact of the thing which gave you pause?