---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It can be hard to remember what one's…"
description: "\"“It can be hard to remember what one's anticipatory image of something was once you're on the other side. I'm no longer sure exactly what it was I was ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/david-rakoff-3308_light_it-can-be-hard-to-remember-what-one-s-an_1423851.png"
---

#  It can be hard to remember what one's anticipatory image…

![“It can be hard to remember what one's anticipatory image of something was once you're on the other side. I'm no longer sure exactly what it was I was waiting for, but I do know that it was something wholly unfamiliar and thrilling. Like a new color. Not a mixture, no trace of blue or yellow or…” quote by David Rakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/david-rakoff-3308_light_it-can-be-hard-to-remember-what-one-s-an_1423851.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/david-rakoff-3308_light_it-can-be-hard-to-remember-what-one-s-an_1423851.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/david-rakoff-3308_light_it-can-be-hard-to-remember-what-one-s-an_1423851.png)

> ““It can be hard to remember what one's anticipatory image of something was once you're on the other side. I'm no longer sure exactly what it was I was waiting for, but I do know that it was something wholly unfamiliar and thrilling. Like a new color. Not a mixture, no trace of blue or yellow or red. What would that look like? I have some basic understanding about light--how it can only be broken down and refracted into its seven constituent hues--and even though I know that the physical world makes the existence of such a thing basically impossible, I'd still really like to see that.””

[David Rakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rakoff/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Anticipation can become an unknown, exhilarating experience that defies ordinary description, like imagining a new color.

**In simple terms:** Imagining the unknown can be thrilling.

Key Takeaway

Embrace uncertainty and curiosity.

Themes

anticipation novelty imagination

Mood

wonder excitement

Type

reflective inspirational

When to use this quote

- creative projects
- scientific research
- personal growth
- artistic exploration

Key Concepts

Philosophy neuroscience

Questions to Reflect On

- What unknown possibilities excite you?
- How can you explore the unfamiliar safely?

A Different Perspective

The imagined experience may never be fully realized.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Anticipatory Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anticipatory-image-5050359/) [Constituent Hues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constituent-hues-5050360/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [New Color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-color-1378513/) [Understanding Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding-light-2928331/)

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