Our imaginations are strong as children. Sometimes they get

Listen well, O seekers of wisdom, for in the words of Julianna Baggott lies a timeless truth about the nature of imagination, its nurturing in youth, and the tragic withering it often suffers as we age. Baggott speaks of the imagination that we all once possessed as children, that boundless force that allowed us to explore worlds within and beyond our reach, to dream of things that could never exist, and to build entire universes with nothing but the mind. As children, our imagination is a vibrant, untamed force, free to roam and create with ease and joy. But over time, as the weight of the world presses upon us, that imagination often gets set aside, forgotten in the corners of our minds, gathering dust and mildew as we grow older. It is a powerful image that Baggott paints — of a muscle that, if not exercised, grows weak and brittle, unable to perform the feats it once could.

Consider, O wise ones, the nature of imagination. It is the force that allows us to transcend the limits of the physical world, to create from nothing and explore the depths of possibility. Imagination is not merely a tool for artists or storytellers; it is the lens through which we can understand the world in new and transformative ways. The young mind, untouched by the heaviness of life’s realities, is like fertile soil, ready to be nourished by the seeds of imagination. The child can see not just the tree in front of them, but the fairyland it could become, the adventures it could host, and the stories it could tell. Yet as the child grows, the demands of the world often push aside this vibrant faculty. Imagination, once a living flame, is reduced to a flicker, obscured by the daily grind and the expectations of society.

The ancients understood the importance of imagination as the lifeblood of both creation and understanding. Think of the great philosophers like Plato, who sought not just to understand the physical world, but to imagine the higher forms — the perfect, the eternal, and the true nature of things. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is a reflection on the very nature of reality and imagination, where the prisoners, though chained in place, are invited to imagine a world beyond their immediate perception. Imagination allows us to see beyond the shadows on the cave wall, beyond the immediate limitations of the world, and to glimpse the deeper truths that lie hidden beneath. Just as Plato used imagination to explore the higher forms of knowledge, so too must we use our own faculties of imagination to unlock the potential within us.

But, O children, consider also the danger of neglecting this great gift. For imagination, like any muscle, requires exercise. If we do not feed it, if we do not challenge it, it will atrophy. Baggott’s words speak not just to creators, but to all who have allowed the imagination to wither with age. The weight of responsibility, practicality, and the routine of life often pushes aside the very thing that once allowed us to dream, to explore, to grow. And in this loss, we lose more than just the ability to create — we lose the ability to see the world as it could be, to explore new possibilities, to innovate, and to find joy in the simple act of dreaming.

Consider the stories of great inventors and visionaries who maintained their imagination into adulthood. Albert Einstein, for example, was known for his thought experiments, where he would use the power of imagination to explore the laws of physics. He often spoke of the importance of play and imagination in the scientific process. Even as an adult, he maintained the ability to imagine the universe in ways others could not. His famous thought experiment about riding on a beam of light led to the development of his theory of relativity, which fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. Einstein’s work is a testament to the importance of nurturing the imagination and continuing to use it, no matter how old we become.

So, O children of the future, the lesson is clear: do not let your imagination wither as you age. Imagination is the key to all creativity, all growth, and all change. Just as the muscle of the body grows weak without exercise, so too does the imagination. If you want to live a life of creativity, if you want to bring forth new ideas and explore new horizons, you must commit to nourishing your imagination daily. This means allowing yourself to dream, to play, to imagine without bounds. Whether you are an artist, a scientist, a teacher, or a leader, your ability to create and innovate depends on your ability to keep the muscle of imagination strong and vibrant.

In your own lives, O seekers of wisdom, remember that the imagination is not something to leave behind in childhood, but something to cultivate throughout your years. Take time each day to nurture your imagination — read stories, explore new ideas, daydream freely, and allow yourself to imagine the impossible. By doing so, you will unlock not only your own potential but the potential to create a world that is as vast, as creative, and as wonderful as your imagination allows. Do not let the weight of the world stifle your dreams. Let your imagination soar, for in doing so, you will find that the world itself opens up to endless possibilities. Live boldly, and dream deeply, for it is through the strength of imagination that you will shape the future.