If there’s one thing dragons love about humans it’s their sense of wonder. And the gift of imagination. Okay, so that’s two things. But you get what I’m saying right?

Of all the creatures in all the world, nobody creates like a human. Music. Art. Sports. Stories. We dragons may gather and safeguard the things humans create, but we don’t make them. That’s not our gift. It’s yours.

There was once this writer who said, “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.”

It took me a little while to understand what he meant. I’m still a little dragon. I don’t always figure things out right away. But I’m learning. Just like you.

After mulling over what he said, I think I see it now. It’s easy to look at something, like a tree, and just see the tree. But it takes imagination to look at a fully grown tree and picture it first as a seed that sprouted into a sapling. 

It takes imagination to “see” the tree growing up through the different seasons. To imagine the brown rabbit hopping by the baby tree in the spring and wondering if it would be good to eat. Then deciding to hop away without nibbling at it.

It takes imagination to see a butterfly land on the thin, growing branches and warming it’s rainbow-colored wings in the summer sun.

It takes imagination to see the tree’s very first leaves change from green to orange or yellow in the fall. And then to drift into a deep sleep while snow covers it in the winter.

And it most certainly takes imagination to use your own words to tell someone else about watching birds nesting in the grown tree’s shelter and squirrels scurrying up its thick, scratchy trunk. 

Imagination is what allows humans to see the world and share it and all its possibilities with others. 

Do you know how amazing that is?

I started this blog because I love to share the imagination of other humans with you. But did you know you have the ability to tell your own stories too?

You don’t have to wait to be a grownup and you don’t have to wait until you can read giant books on your own.

You can start telling your own stories now. Stretch your imagination. Watch it grow. The more you use it, the more you’re able to focus it.

The more you focus your imagination, the more you’ll be able to see how others use theirs. It’s like having the ultimate super power!

If I can make one suggestion, though. Use your imagination for good. And focus on the imagination of others who use their gift to benefit others.

When used correctly, imagination can be a wonderful tool. Used incorrectly, it can really hurt someone. Bullying, violence, and even worry are all things that can happen when our imagination falls out of focus.

Find something that encourages and inspires you. It might be a favorite fairy tale or graphic novel. It can be a song you love to listen to on repeat. It can even be a sport or an activity you like taking part in.

Make that your starting point. Use that to create something beautiful and new and uniquely you. Then don’t be afraid to share that new creation with others. That’s your special gift to others.

As for me, I can’t wait to help safeguard the treasures you create. That’s my gift to you.