Community Connection ~ August 10, 2025: Become More "Picture Smart"

This week we continue our series centered around Thomas Armstrong’s book 7 Kinds of Smart. As we dive into the theory of multiple intelligences, we’ll spend a Sunday exploring each of the ways our beautifully unique brains are capable of knowing things. Today’s focus: “Picture Smart.” 

“Picture Smart” is also known as spatial intelligence. This includes direct perception - your ability to notice details in the things you see - as well as your ability to create clear mental images of things, images you can rotate and examine with your mind’s eye. If you can easily recognize people at a distance, draw objects from memory, or fix appliances by picturing their inner workings, you might already have well-developed spatial intelligence. If none of these things sound like you, the activities that follow will help you tap into your spatial potential. 

Start by strengthening your powers of observation - Armstrong recommends sessions of an hour(!) where you sit outside and just notice things. During August in Arizona, you may need to sit inside by a window instead, but give it a go! You’ll probably cycle through thinking you’ve noticed everything there is to see several times - keep looking. You can increase the difficulty by trying to recall the images in your mind, with as much detail as possible, and then to manipulate them mentally by turning them over and looking at them from different angles. 

Continue deepening your picture smarts by becoming a “graphic ideator” - recording your ideas visually. The book recommends using a notebook, notecards, or even a roll of wrapping paper, but you could also shift the format of whatever you’re currently using as a prayer journal (and if you don’t currently HAVE a prayer journal, start one!). When you sit down to reflect on beloved Bible verses, or to put your prayers down on paper, do it through images, symbols, and other visual imagery. Don’t worry about how “good” your pictures are, just draw. 

As we work our way through the different kinds of intelligence, we’d love to hear which ones connect with you the most. Share your thoughts with us on Facebook or Instagram!