wise

ben_big_smiles.jpg
My handsome Ben, Berkeley, CA, Canon Rebel Xti

“An adult is one who has lost the grace, the freshness, the innocence of the child,
who is no longer capable of feeling pure joy, who makes everything complicated,
who spreads suffering everywhere, who is afraid of being happy, and who,
because it is easier to bear, has gone back to sleep. The wise man is a happy child.

– Arnaud Desjardins

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Hi, I’m Andrea

On this blog you’ll be learning with me how to use our voices, share our creative superpowers and live life in full color.

As an artist, photographer, life coach + mentor, I’m redefining what it means to be a SUPERHERO — ‘cause in my world, it’s got nothing to do with capes, spandex or sidekicks and everything to do with tenderness, intuition & baby steps of bravery.

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24 Comments

  1. Candice

    I LOVE this! The quote, the picture, all of it! I so often marvel at how purely happy both my kids are as soon as they wake in the morning. They’re the ones who’ve got it all figured out I say. Thanks!!

  2. hannah m

    Andrea – You have a lovely knack for sharing the perfect words at the perfect time. Thanks for this. It’s getting written out and magnet-ed to the fridge right after I click “post”.
    (And your Ben is looking so happily full of joy.)

  3. stacy kathryn

    Love that quote, and Ben is sooo handsome. What a smile! Its contagious

  4. Puanani

    Ben is a boy! When did that happen???
    The quote makes me feel a little guilty about my post this morning… Not in a bad way, just a pensive, thought provoking way. Thank you.

  5. celisa

    amen.

  6. Samantha D

    Oh I just *love* this picture of Ben! He looks like such a little man!

  7. Alesia

    Oh! He looks like such a big boy now!

  8. Caroline

    Very interesting…
    I love Ben’s haircut! He’s adorable as always 🙂 Kisses to you sweet nephew.

  9. dawn

    oh-that-smile! such a sweetie, andrea!

  10. marilee pittman

    Where is baby Ben? and who is this handsome big boy?

  11. Kelsie

    Oh Andrea – he is a handsome little guy! His smile makes me smile. Thank you!

  12. Surcie

    Wait! Wasn’t he just born??

  13. Steve

    I don’t know which is more powerful… the picture or the quote. Thanks for sharing both.

  14. mamie

    eeek. i hope to never be called an adult. i think the great gift of our children is the way they teach us to embrace the ‘happy child’ we are.
    now, if i could just get my body to bend into those impossibility supple angles they have as they naturally perform yoga. jealous.

  15. Cory

    This photo made my day, Andrea. What a gift you have to be able to capture your boy simply in such a complex medium. The photo makes me want to pounce on my napping kids and kiss them.

  16. Belinda

    Gosh, he has gotten so big! And I remember crying when he was just a bump on a photo. That’s a simply fantastic photo of a beautiful little boy.
    Also:
    An adult is […]who is afraid of being happy, and who, because it is easier to bear, has gone back to sleep. The wise man is a happy child.
    I’m seriously tempted to pin that up somewhere to remind me of my own life every day.

  17. mccabe

    what a stud muffin!
    oh ben you are too freaking cute.
    xo
    mccabe

  18. Bek Vavic

    OIW yes…. how very true.
    I am reminded of this EVERY single time my 16 month old boy is given a small box of sultanas…
    Oh the joy, such joy.
    Makes me grin just thinking about it.
    Love
    Bxo

  19. Ali

    Oh how I love this.

  20. Moltomom

    My 3-year old son happy as a clam even with an awful case of strep throat a week ago is this quote brought to life.
    My goodness, I needed to read that today. Such a beautiful quote…I am printing it and pasting it in my office as we speak. Thank you. (And Ben looks like such a big boy!)

  21. Moltomom

    My 3-year old son happy as a clam even with an awful case of strep throat a week ago is this quote brought to life.
    My goodness, I needed to read that today. Such a beautiful quote…I am printing it and pasting it in my office as we speak. Thank you. (And Ben looks like such a big boy!)

  22. pamela

    Your son is just gorgeous, full of engagement and vivacity. I still cannot get over how he is now a little boy, not a toddler or a baby at all!

  23. pamela

    Your son is just gorgeous, full of engagement and vivacity. I still cannot get over how he is now a little boy, not a toddler or a baby at all!

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