“Picked” in “I picked the apples” is an 'active' verb because it shows that the subject “I” is the one who picked the apples.
After two years of 'active duty' [=two years of being a full-time member of the military] she entered the reserves.
He saw no 'active service' [=he did not fight in any battles] during his time in the army.
(..) Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Who are you looking for? My parents are coming tonight. They're trying to, you know, take an active interest in me. Gross. I hate it when my mom does that. They're such assholes. Why can't they just have their own lives? What makes you sure she wants us (..)1999 American Beauty