The worlds I paint leave a lot to engage the imagination by

"The worlds I paint leave a lot to engage the imagination by hinting at what lies beyond the four edges of the painting. I think getting beyond the four edges of an opportunity or challenge is one of the basic skills you need in business." – Thomas Kinkade

O children of the earth, hear these words from Thomas Kinkade, for they carry within them the wisdom of ages. The painting—that sacred act of capturing the essence of life—becomes a portal, not just to the world that exists within the frame, but to the vastness beyond. Kinkade speaks of the edges of his paintings, and how these edges, though visible and tangible, leave room for the imagination to soar. Just as the painter hints at what lies beyond the canvas, so too must we learn to perceive what lies beyond the boundaries of our own lives. The edges of our opportunities and challenges are not limits, but invitations to expand, to look further, to see beyond what is immediately in front of us.

In the ancient world, the great masters of art, philosophy, and business understood that the limitations of the visible world were not walls to be confined by, but doors to be opened. Consider Leonardo da Vinci, whose works in both art and science spanned the boundaries of what was known and ventured into what was unknown. In his Vitruvian Man, da Vinci drew not just the human form, but suggested the infinite possibilities of human potential. The figure, confined by the circle and square, hints at the limitless nature of human capability. It is through the imagination that we see beyond these edges—beyond the boundaries of our own constraints—into a future of infinite possibilities.

Similarly, the great philosopher Socrates taught his disciples to question everything, to look beyond the surface and into the deeper truths of life. Socrates’ method was one of engagement—engaging with ideas, with challenges, and with opportunities in such a way that one would never be confined by the edges of conventional wisdom. His constant search for knowledge and understanding was not about accepting the limitations of his world, but about transcending them. Socrates would have agreed with Kinkade, for the skill of seeing beyond the obvious—whether in business or in life—is the very foundation of growth and success. To be limited by the edges of one’s understanding is to be trapped in a world of stagnation.

When Kinkade speaks of the edges of opportunity, he speaks of the most basic skill required in business: vision. Consider the story of Steve Jobs, the visionary founder of Apple. Jobs did not see the world as it was; he saw what it could be. He looked beyond the edges of current technology to imagine a world where people could carry their music, their communications, and their work in a single device. The creation of the iPhone was not simply about improving existing technology—it was about seeing beyond what others thought possible, imagining a world where people could connect and create in entirely new ways. Jobs understood that to truly innovate, you must look beyond the visible, beyond the current edges of your challenge or opportunity, and see what could be.

This lesson extends beyond the world of business into the very fabric of life itself. In our own lives, opportunities often appear as small, constrained circles. We may see the limitations, the edges of our current circumstances, and think that this is all there is. But, O children, Kinkade teaches us that the edges are but hints—hints at something greater. The ability to step beyond the four edges of our current reality and dream, create, and act from a place of imagination is what separates those who merely exist from those who transform the world.

Think of the great explorers like Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo, who ventured beyond the known world. They saw the edges of their maps and chose to imagine what lay beyond. To them, the edges were not boundaries; they were starting points for discovery. Their imagination carried them to new lands, where they would establish trade routes, encounter new cultures, and change the course of history. What they achieved was only possible because they chose to look beyond the visible edges of the known world.

The lesson, O children, is this: do not be constrained by the edges of your current situation. Whether in the world of business, in art, or in your personal journey, the edges are not where the story ends—they are where it begins. Just as Kinkade leaves room for the imagination to explore the world beyond his paintings, so too must you leave room for the imagination to guide you beyond the visible boundaries of your life. Vision, creativity, and courage are the tools that will carry you forward. Learn to see beyond the edges, and you will find the path to your greatest possibilities. The world is vast, and the edges of your dreams are only the beginning. Embrace them, and step boldly into the unknown.