"作家が自己ではないものを想像し、見知らぬものを親しませ、馴染みのあるものを神秘化する能力は、その力の試金石である。"

Writers have an incredible superpower. They can step out of their own shoes and dive into someone else's life or a completely different world. This talent to see through another's eyes and make the unfamiliar feel like home, while also making everyday things seem magical, is what really shows their skill.

Think about when this was said. It's kind of timeless, right? Writers have always had this role. They help us understand things we haven't experienced ourselves. Whether it's the 1800s and authors are exploring industrialization, or today with writers delving into the impacts of technology on our lives, the best ones make us feel like we're living those experiences ourselves.

Now, let’s get concrete with an example. Take J.K. Rowling. She made a wizarding world—a totally strange concept—seem as real as the ground we're standing on. Hogwarts, with its moving staircases and talking portraits, feels like a place you might actually visit. At the same time, she took familiar feelings of friendship, loyalty, and fear, and wrapped them in magic. You're not just reading about Harry, Hermione, and Ron; you feel like you're one of them, even though their world is entirely different from ours.

So, how can you apply this to your own life? For starters, if you're a writer, push yourself to explore perspectives and experiences beyond your own. Talk to people from different backgrounds, read widely, and step out of your comfort zone. If you're not a writer, this still applies. Try to understand others' perspectives. It can make you more empathetic and insightful. Next time you’re watching a movie or reading a book, think about what it’s teaching you about lives different from your own.

Picture this: You're sitting in a coffee shop, and you see a man at the counter who's clearly from out of town. His clothes are different, his mannerisms a bit awkward. You strike up a conversation and find out he's from a small village in another country. As you talk, you learn about the challenges he faces, the beauty of his home, and his journey to this new place. Now, imagine writing his story. You'd need to make his world—so different from yours—come alive for your readers. You'd also need to find the common human experiences you both share. That’s the heart of great storytelling.

In a nutshell, embracing this wisdom means seeing and feeling beyond your own experiences. It’s about making the strange familiar and the familiar a bit strange. Whether you’re crafting a story or just living your day-to-day life, stepping into another’s shoes can be incredibly powerful. It’s about connection and understanding, making the world a bit smaller and a whole lot richer.

So next time you pick up a pen, or even just a conversation, think about how you can explore that magic. Dive into the strange and find the familiar within it. And remember, the world is full of stories just waiting to be told—yours, mine, and everyone else's.