I would by no means be considered a committed fan of David Lynch’s work. At the risk of evoking Hansel from Zoolander, the truth is I haven’t watched a lot of Lynch’s catalogue, it’s not really my thing. But I have watched on from a distance with admiration for the unique and prolific artist.
I take note of different voices. In particular I draw inspiration from observing people who live fully as themselves. To have a high level of peace with (or at least commitment to) who you were created to be, manifests as a productive confidence worthy of aspiring to.
A small and simple lesson that has served me well in every facet of life, was learnt from David Lynch. Lynch is on record many times urging us all to write down our ideas. I recall him imploring that if you wake in the night with a thought, don’t succumb to the temptation to drift back to sleep, write it down. Maybe it’ll be nothing (and oh well, nothing lost) but maybe it will be something. As a brilliant filmmaker Lynch says he lost more than one important film concept because he simply didn’t write down the ideas when they came.
Whether you’re an engineer, a parent, counsellor, lover, teacher, comedian, preacher, whatever – this applies. It could be an idea for a conversation, a donation, a song, a building, a business or an artwork. Imagine all the things in this world that never were, because someone didn’t take a moment to capture their idea.
And so, I almost never let an idea go by unwritten. Good ideas are a seed, and we plant that seed by writing it down. Then, at least, it has a chance to grow into something, be it big or small.
For this practice, I’m really thankful to David Lynch, 1946-2025.
