I want you both to show me how much you know about each…
““I want you both to show me how much you know about each other,” he began. “I want you both to make me a collage.” I looked at him for a moment. “A collage?” I asked. “Like, with magazine pictures and glue?” “That’s exactly right,” Father Johnson replied. “And it doesn’t have to be large or elaborate; just use a piece of legal-size paper as the backdrop. I want you to fill it with pictures that represent all the things you know about the other person. Bring it to your session next week, and we’ll look at them together.” This was an unexpected development. I made the mistake of glancing at Marlboro Man, who I imagined had never felt more uncomfortable in his life than he did once he faced the prospect of sitting down and working with paper and glue in an effort to prove to someone else how much he knew about the woman he was going to marry. He tried to keep a straight face, to remain respectful, but I’d studied his beautiful features enough to know when things were going on under the surface. Marlboro Man had been such a good sport through our series of premarital training. And this--a collage assignment--was his reward.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A collage exercise asks partners to visually represent their knowledge of each other, fostering deeper intimacy and shared understanding.
In simple terms: Create a picture of what you know about your partner.
Key Takeaway
Use creative tasks to deepen connection.
Themes
relationships
communication
creativity
Mood
thoughtful
empathetic
Type
therapeutic
educational
When to use this quote
- couples counseling
- team building
- personal growth
Key Concepts
psychology
art therapy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does visual storytelling affect intimacy?
- What barriers arise in sharing personal insights?
A Different Perspective
Some may feel uncomfortable with artistic expression.