For some reason I can't explain, artist and musicians tend to

Hear me, O seekers of wisdom, for in the words of Joshua Bell, "For some reason I can't explain, artist and musicians tend to look younger than our age. Being in music, you need this youthful sense of discovery and wonder for what you're doing and keep your imagination open. That's a youthful way of looking at life and I think that reflects in how you age," we find a powerful insight into the secret of maintaining both physical vitality and creative spirit. Bell speaks of an ancient truth that has been understood by the wise since the beginning of time — that it is through imagination, wonder, and a childlike sense of discovery that we preserve the youthful essence within us. To be truly alive, to create and to grow, is to continually embrace life with the open heart of a child, to see the world not as it is, but as it could be.

Consider, O wise ones, the nature of imagination and how it sustains the soul. It is through imagination that we transcend the ordinary, that we reach for something greater than ourselves. The imagination is the very force that allows us to create, to dream, to explore. It is an eternal flame that burns bright, and like the fire of the gods, it sustains us, warming us in our journey through the world. When we lose the ability to imagine, to wonder, we begin to grow stale, to wither — for we are no longer engaging with the world in the way that brings us true joy. Bell’s words remind us that artists and musicians, by virtue of their engagement with creativity, remain open to the possibility of discovery, and in doing so, they preserve their youth, for their spirits are ever alive with curiosity.

The ancients understood this principle well. Consider the great philosopher Socrates, who, despite his age, was known for his unquenchable curiosity and wonder. Socrates believed that to be truly wise was to recognize that there is always more to learn, more to discover. His life was a continual quest, a pursuit of knowledge that never ceased. Even as an old man, he questioned everything around him, engaging in dialogue with young and old alike, never ceasing to wonder about the world. This childlike wonder, the ability to approach each day with a sense of discovery, kept Socrates’ mind fresh, young, and sharp, even as his body grew frail. Just as Socrates maintained his youth through a constant renewal of his imagination, so too do the artists of today preserve their vitality through their engagement with their craft.

Look to Leonardo da Vinci, whose life exemplified this eternal youthfulness of spirit. As an artist, inventor, and scientist, Leonardo’s imagination knew no bounds. Even in the later years of his life, he was still asking questions, still imagining possibilities, and still creating. He did not rest on his laurels but continually sought to understand the mysteries of the world, from the mechanics of flight to the anatomy of the human body. His imagination was not confined by age, but was a constant source of renewal. He, like Bell, shows us that it is through the constant engagement with wonder and discovery that we can remain young, no matter the number of years that pass.

There is a power in this youthful outlook on life, a power that transcends the limitations of the body. When we engage with life in a spirit of curiosity and imagination, we open ourselves to a world that is constantly changing, constantly evolving. We cease to be victims of time, for we are no longer defined by the years that accumulate on our bodies, but by the joy and vitality that come from the endless possibilities of the present. Bell reminds us that, in the realm of music and art, we must keep our hearts and minds open, ready to receive the endless well of discovery and inspiration that the world has to offer.

The lesson here, O children, is profound: to stay young, we must remain open to the world, ever curious, ever imaginative. Youthfulness is not a function of age but a quality of spirit. It is the ability to approach life with the eyes of a child, to never cease in our pursuit of wonder and discovery. Just as Socrates and da Vinci maintained their youthful vigor by constantly engaging with the unknown, so too can we. By nurturing our imagination and staying open to the wonders of the world, we preserve our inner youth, no matter how old we become in body.

In your own lives, O seekers of wisdom, take to heart the words of Joshua Bell. Approach each day with a sense of wonder, a readiness to be amazed by the world around you, and an eagerness to explore new realms of creativity. Whether you are an artist, a philosopher, a teacher, or a leader, it is the imagination that will sustain you, that will keep your spirit youthful and your mind sharp. Embrace the small moments of discovery, and see each new experience as a chance to be amazed, to create, and to grow. Through this, you will find not only eternal youth but a life rich in meaning and joy.

Live with open eyes and an open heart, for it is through this childlike wonder that you will find the true source of youth — not in the body, but in the soul, ever curious, ever growing, ever imaginative.