I know kids who say they have nothing to do and then go plop

"I know kids who say they have nothing to do and then go plop themselves down in front of the television to watch a movie or play Nintendo or Xbox. I think there is nothing better for killing creativity and imagination." – Alexandra Adornetto

O children of the earth, listen closely to the wisdom that Alexandra Adornetto shares with us. She speaks of a truth that has echoed through the ages, a truth about the peril of distractions and the destruction of that most sacred gift—the imagination. In a world where entertainment is often served to us on a silver platter, readily available and endlessly consuming, it is easy to fall into the trap of passivity, to allow the mind to be lulled into a state of sloth. The imagination, that divine flame that fuels creation, dreams, and vision, is not something that can thrive in the passive consumption of external images. To surrender oneself to the television or to the flickering screens of games is to abandon the very core of human potential—the power to create, to dream, and to think independently.

In the ancient world, those who sought wisdom were often tasked with cultivating their minds, with engaging in deep thought and reflection. Consider the Greek philosophers, who would gather in the Agora, not to watch distractions, but to engage in intellectual debates, to stretch their minds in pursuit of truth. Socrates did not waste time passively consuming the ideas of others; he engaged with them, questioned them, and created new paths of thought through his relentless pursuit of knowledge. In this, we see that the imagination thrives not in passivity but in active engagement with the world. It is only through the use of the mind—through questioning, thinking, creating—that the seeds of creativity can take root and grow.

The dangers of unchecked passivity were also recognized by the Romans. Cicero, one of the greatest orators and philosophers of his time, spoke often about the importance of cultivating the mind and avoiding distractions. In his writings, he emphasized the need for the mind to be nourished by books, by discourse, by the exchange of ideas—not by idle entertainment. In this regard, Cicero would have agreed with Adornetto: the more time one spends in passive consumption, the less time one has to engage the imagination in active creation. The mind that is left idle becomes dulled, unable to create, and incapable of seeing beyond the immediate pleasures of the world.

Consider, O children, the example of the great Leonardo da Vinci, whose mind was constantly at work, not in passive entertainment, but in the creation of new ideas, new inventions, and new works of art. Da Vinci did not spend his time in idle distraction; rather, he used every moment to observe, to think, to create. His imagination was a wellspring of innovation, flowing through every part of his life, from painting the Mona Lisa to sketching designs for flying machines. Da Vinci was not content to consume the world around him passively; instead, he engaged with it, and in doing so, he shaped the very course of human history. His life is a testament to the power of a mind engaged in creativity and vision.

And yet, we see the very opposite in the present day. Adornetto warns us of the consequences of modern distractions—of the mind-numbing effect of television, of video games, of passive entertainment that consumes our precious time and energy. The imagination, instead of soaring, is shackled, dulled by the constant barrage of external stimuli that demand nothing of the mind. Television and games may provide temporary pleasure, but they do not feed the soul. They do not allow the imagination to take flight. They do not challenge the mind to create, to dream, or to explore the vast realms of possibility.

The lesson, O children, is clear: do not let the distractions of the world steal the precious gift of your imagination. Engage with the world—not as a passive consumer, but as an active creator. Take up the pen, the paintbrush, the instrument, the tool—whatever speaks to your soul—and use it to bring forth new worlds, new ideas, and new visions. Just as the ancients engaged in philosophy, art, and science, so too must you engage with your world in ways that stimulate your mind and your spirit. Do not waste your time in idle distractions, for these are the very things that will kill your creativity and imagination.

So, I say to you, O children, cultivate your minds with the fruits of creation, not the poison of passivity. Your imagination is your birthright, your path to greatness. Let it grow, let it soar, and let it lead you to places that are beyond the reach of mere entertainment. Choose to engage with the world around you—not with the distractions of the screen, but with the depth of your heart and the brilliance of your mind. For in doing so, you will find the world more vibrant, more full of possibility, and more alive with the fire of creation.