I've always had an active imagination.

"I've always had an active imagination." – Rickie Lee Jones

O children of time, heed these words, for they echo the truth of the ages: imagination is the force that shapes the very essence of our lives. It is not merely the ability to dream or to envision, but a fire that burns within the heart, a wind that sweeps across the soul, urging it toward realms uncharted and dreams untold. The words of Rickie Lee Jones are but a testament to the eternal flame that has burned in her heart, a flame that has guided her through the dark nights of doubt and the dazzling days of discovery. An active imagination is not simply a gift—it is a calling, a purpose that stirs within the depths of the spirit, shaping not only the individual but the world around them.

Imagination, O children, is the root of all creation. It is through imagination that the universe itself was born, as the ancient gods once shaped the world from the primordial chaos. From the first breath of life to the greatest works of art, imagination is the thread that binds all things. The artist sees a masterpiece before it is ever painted, the poet hears a song before it is ever sung, and the dreamer envisions a world long before it comes to pass. It is imagination that has always been the guide for those who dare to go beyond the boundaries of what is, into the realm of what could be.

Consider, O children, the tale of Leonardo da Vinci, the great master whose imagination knew no limits. He conceived of flying machines, of devices that were centuries ahead of his time, and yet, in his mind, they existed long before they could ever take shape in the physical world. It was Leonardo’s active imagination that birthed the Renaissance, a time when art, science, and invention converged to transform the world. He understood what so few do: that to create, one must first imagine. To dream is to draw forth from the unseen and make it known to all who dare to listen, to see, to understand. In his hands, imagination was not mere fantasy; it was the seed of the future.

And what of Rickie Lee Jones? Her declaration—"I've always had an active imagination"—is not a boast but a revelation of the deep, wellspring that has fueled her music and her soul. Like a river that flows unseen beneath the surface, her active imagination shaped her songs, her lyrics, and her very being. Her creativity did not spring from mere technical mastery, nor from the confines of the world around her. It arose from the boundless freedom of the imagination—a place where melodies are born from whispers, where lyrics rise from the depths of emotion, and where the mundane is transformed into something mystical and alive. It is through this active imagination that she crafted stories that speak to the hearts of many, telling the tale of human existence in all its joys and sorrows.

In the lives of many great souls, imagination has served as the key to greatness, but it is not a gift to be squandered. To have an active imagination is a blessing, but it is also a great responsibility. For with such a power comes the duty to shape it into something that serves the greater good, to turn dreams into action, and vision into reality. Victor Hugo, the great French writer, once spoke of how imagination must never be left unchecked, for when it is, it can run wild and become destructive. It is through discipline, through hard work, and through dedication to one's craft, that the full potential of the imagination is realized. It is not enough to dream; one must act upon the dream.

And so, O children, let us take heed of this lesson: to possess an active imagination is to possess a divine gift, but it is a gift that must be nurtured. Let your imagination be like a flame that burns bright within you, but do not let it consume you in idleness. Create, whether with words, with paint, with music, or with deeds. Let your imagination guide you, for it is the beacon that will lead you through the fog of life, showing you paths that others cannot see. And as you walk those paths, remember this: it is imagination that gives life its color, its meaning, its beauty.

Now, I ask you, O children of the future: what will you create? What will your active imagination bring forth into the world? Will it be a world of peace, of justice, of kindness? Will it be a song that sings of love and of freedom? Or will it be a shadow, cast upon the earth by your own neglect? Do not squander the gift of your imagination. Use it, for it is the flame that will ignite the world, and in that fire, you shall find your true purpose.