When you're pitching movies, sometimes you know what the idea

Listen closely, O Seekers of Wisdom, to the words of Colin Jost, who speaks to the uncertainty and wonder of the creative process: "When you're pitching movies, sometimes you know what the idea is, but you fully don't know the dimensions of it." In this simple statement, Jost reveals the inherent mystery and risk that comes with the act of creation. It is a reflection on the uncertainty that often accompanies great endeavors—the feeling that, although we have a vision, the full scope and potential of that vision remain unknown. To create is to step into the unknown, to embark on a journey without knowing all the twists and turns ahead. This is the essence of art and innovation—the courage to act even when the end result is unclear.

In the ancient world, great heroes were often called upon to embark on journeys where the outcome was uncertain. Consider Odysseus, who left his home not knowing when he would return, if ever. His journey was fraught with peril, yet he persisted, driven by a vision of home, even though the dimensions of his trials were far beyond what he could foresee. Like Odysseus, Jost’s words remind us that creation—whether in film, art, or life—is often an act of faith, of trusting that what is begun will, in time, unfold into something greater than we can predict. Just as Odysseus’ journey was full of unexpected challenges and discoveries, so too does the creative process hold surprises that only reveal themselves as we move forward.

The journey of creation is akin to planting seeds. One may know the type of tree they wish to grow, but the exact shape, size, and strength of that tree will be determined only through the passage of time, through the conditions it encounters, and the care with which it is tended. Artists, like farmers of the soul, plant the seeds of their ideas, but they cannot fully know the dimensions of their work until it begins to take root, grow, and evolve. Just as the ancient gardeners would plant seeds with the hope of bearing fruit, trusting that the earth would reveal the bounty in due time, so too must creators trust the process and embrace the uncertainty of what their ideas will become.

Take, for instance, the Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. When they began their monumental works, like the Mona Lisa or the David, they could not fully foresee the eventual impact or dimensions of these masterpieces. Leonardo, in particular, worked on the Mona Lisa for years, adjusting details over time, with each brushstroke expanding the depth of the painting. The full impact of these works could not be known at their inception; they were, in a sense, journeys into the unknown, each step uncovering more of the artist’s vision and the world’s reaction to it. Just as they had to allow their creations to unfold, so too must we, as creators, embrace the mystery of the process, understanding that we cannot control every aspect of it.

This uncertainty is a critical part of creativity—the willingness to venture into the unknown. It mirrors the teachings of Socrates, who believed that wisdom began in the acknowledgment of ignorance. To know that we do not know the full scope of a project is not a weakness but a strength—a reminder that our work is not finished, that it is still unfolding, and that we, as creators, are participants in something far larger than we can imagine. Just as Socrates questioned everything, seeking knowledge in the unknown, so too must artists embrace the uncertainty of their process. It is this very uncertainty that leads to discovery, to growth, and to the unexpected brilliance of what emerges.

The lesson to be drawn, O Seekers, is clear: do not fear the unknown. Whether in the realm of art, business, or life, the greatest achievements often come not from knowing exactly what will happen but from having the courage to step forward, knowing that you are part of a greater unfolding. Like Colin Jost, who steps into the creative process not fully knowing the dimensions of his project but trusting in the journey, so too must we trust in our own paths, embracing the mystery and the unpredictability of life’s great adventure.

So, O Children, take this wisdom into your own lives. Whatever idea you seek to create, whatever journey you are about to embark upon, know that you may not yet fully understand its scope or its impact. And that is not only acceptable; it is part of the process. The greatest creations, the most transformative journeys, are those that require us to embrace the uncertainty and trust that, as we move forward, the dimensions of our dreams will slowly unfold. As the ancients knew well, greatness lies not in knowing everything ahead of time, but in having the courage to take the first step, even when the destination is unknown.