In life, we absorb numerous details and experiences without even realizing it, forming a vast repository of knowledge in our minds. Much of this subconscious intake shapes our thoughts and behaviors, influencing our perspectives in ways that we may not fully understand. The idea that our minds hold a wealth of unnoticed information highlights the richness of our internal world.

Alexander McCall Smith’s quote illustrates how our brains function like a storage unit of lumber: we gather experiences that contribute to our mental framework. This reference to lumber suggests a stable foundation, yet it also implies that we can build and create new understanding from these overlooked thoughts and feelings. Our consciousness may be limited, but the potential within our subconscious is limitless.