Monthly Archives: April 2013

This is me, looking into my own eyes with kindness.

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Self-portrait, shot with Canon 6D

I caught myself today, telling my sister a tired old story on the telephone. You know the ones I mean -the thing you have been complaining about for years, the thing that never seems to change, the one that always brings you anguish. When I hung up today (after venting at length) I noticed how my body felt- icky, tainted, like I had just eaten an entire bag of fritos.

I think I’m done telling that story, I thought to myself.

I need a new narrative. One that’s still true but makes me feel empowered + hopeful.

I went on a photo walk this afternoon. I wanted to shake my legs and get in the mood for the Treasure Hunt course starting in a couple of days.

I found myself taking self-portraits, click click click and then peering into the tiny screen to see how they came out. Sometimes it’s hard to look at yourself, isn’t it? My skin is mottled, my eyes are too small, I should wear makeup… the critic had a steady stream of commentary. Then I remembered something that Vivienne McMaster had shared with me, a self-portrait exercise where you look into the lens with total kindness + love.

I decided to try it, peering into the camera with the kindest part of my heart. I acted as if I were looking at my own boys, tiny and perfect and beautiful. Not only did it feel good to do this, but the shots turned out so much better.

I’m not sure what this new story is. (I will have to call on one of my life coach friends for this one)

What I do know, is that the key will be starting from this place of kindness and love. From this angle, things are bound to look so much more hopeful + beautiful.

 

Sad bananas. A treasure hunt is in order!

Sad banana, shot with Canon 6D

Sad banana, shot with Canon 6D

Sad bananas over here.

Just one of those weeks! I’m thinking that some photo walks are in order. Would anyone like to join me?

Creativity is always the best way for me to find my joy again. Perhaps you need to find some joy too. Let’s do it together.

The Treasure Hunt begins May 1st.

30 days of photo prompts + photo tips. Here are a few more details.

Only $39 if you use this coupon code: HUNTFORJOY

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Here’s what you’ll get:

  • A creative photo prompt each day in your inbox
  • Photo tips + creative musings to inspire your work
  • A warm, encouraging community space on Flickr to share your work and support your fellow treasure seekers! (I will be popping in there each day to view your work and support your practice)

Benefits of treasure seeking:

  • Jumpstart your creativity or add a new spark to your existing practice
  • Come away with a collection of creative images illustrating your life right now
  • A gratitude practice using your camera as a tool + beauty as your lens
  • A whole month of drinking in everyday beauty
  • Inspiring photos taken with your camera phone.
  • Has your blog been collecting dust? Infuse it with new colorful content!

Only $39 if you use this coupon code: HUNTFORJOY

 

 

Super Sponsor Spotlight

Superhero Journal sponsors are, well, super! So take a minute to check out all of the potential and possibilities they are offering up this April. Also, if you’d like to see your e-Course, Etsy shop, blog or business on the sidebar or in an upcoming Super Sponsor Spotlight, we’d love to have you. Just send a quick email to Amber at: [email protected] to get all the details.

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Catherine Just – The Deepening eCourse

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This is your invitation to The Deepening – an eCourse from award-winning photographer Catherine Just.

Through this 4-week process, you will discover the sacred in the everyday, as you decide to deepen … everything. Friendships, partnerships, convictions & connections. Your work, your art, your faith, your message.

Through a subtle shift in perception, you will connect with the moments that matter, and loosen your grip on the minutia that … doesn’t.

The Deepening begins on May 5th. Dive in…   Registration closes April 30th.

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Chris Guillebeau – The $100 Startup

Imagine a life where all your time is spent on things you want to do.

Imagine handing a letter to your boss that says: “Dear Boss, I’m writing to let you know that your services are no longer required. Thanks for everything, but I’ll be doing things my own way now.”

In The $100 Startup, Chris Guillebeau shows you how to lead a life of adventure, meaning and purpose – and earn a good living too. Here, finally distilled into one easy-to-use guide, are the most valuable lessons from those who’ve learned how to turn what they do into a gateway to self-fulfillment.

You don’t need an MBA, a business plan or even employees! It’s all about finding the intersection between what you love to do and what other people will pay for.

The $100 Startup is packed with 300 pages of action to get you on your way. Or come meet Chris and a fun group of independent-minded people in a city near you on The $100 Startup Tour. There may even be cupcakes…

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Kelly Rae Roberts

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I’m Kelly Rae Roberts. I’m an artist, author + a Possibilitarian.

I believe that art has the transformative power to heal (both the maker and the receiver of that art).

I believe that we get to make the rules, that we get to choose, that we get to craft the exact life that has been waiting for us. And when we do, we become fully alive.

I also believe that we are meant for the complicated journeys of brokenness and wholeness, vulnerability and courage, wisdom and silliness. Sometimes all at once. But more on that, later.

An Accidental Artist

I spent my early career as a clinical medical social worker — counseling broken hearts and helping others through the fights of their lives. It was powerful, important work — but my heart began to grow restless.

Until . . . I started playing with paint, at age 30. And everything shifted and changed and opened up. A new way of experiencing, translating, sharing & being in the world was born.

Come say hello at http://kellyraeroberts.com + use coupon code SUPERHERO for 20% off any purchase in the shop! Act fast! Expires April 27th.

We amplify our joy when we share it with others.

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Me, running to the water, Stinson Beach, CA

Me/Andrea in the water at Stinson Beach, photo by John Nieto

Me/Andrea in the water at Stinson Beach, photo by John Nieto

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Me jumping at Stinson Beach, photo by John Nieto

I’ve been craving the ocean for days, feeling melancholy and drained. For me, the best and only antidote is the ocean. I’m a California girl through and through, born in Los Angeles and grew up in Santa Cruz. The ocean is in my bones and has been my constant companion (and healer) for as long as I can remember. There is nothing on earth that rearranges me like walking for hours in the sand, feeling the water lap at my feet.

Yesterday, when I saw the forecast was 80 degrees, it occurred to me that I work for myself! And that I could make the hour drive to the beach just like that. No need to ask permission. (I sometimes forget this) I collected my dear, old friend John and off we went.

Rock I found at the beach with a face

Rock we found at the beach with a face

We walked barefoot and took photos. We combed the beach for seaglass and beautiful rocks. We found one with a remarkable face! and John told me about a time when he was at Ocean Beach and found dozens of baby sand dollars, all perfect and unbroken, strewn all over the sand. The image enchanted me and I silently wished for tiny sand dollars to appear. Within minutes, I found the tiniest sand dollar imaginable. It was the size of my fingernail! Then I found another and another… they were everywhere.

As we walked back, I did a ritual. I wrote the names of all the people in my life who need healing right now. (There are a lot of them) I sent each of them blessings and asked the ocean to help…

Baby sand dollar

Baby sand dollar

Amplifying our joy

We can amplify our positive emotions by sharing them – our gratitude, our joy and our well-being. My joy was amplified by sharing it with John yesterday. My gratitude + well-being were amplified by the simple ritual of sending love + healing prayers out to friends. We can amplify our appreciation by having a gratitude buddy and sharing lists each day.

This morning, when I told one of the other moms at the bus stop that I played hooky and went to Stinson beach, her eyes got big. “That is so inspiring!” she beamed. As I shared more about our day, she got more and more excited. “Thank you for sharing that,” she told me. “You are encouraging me to do this for myself this week!” I walked away smiling, my own joy amplified…

And so I share this with you as well. A reminder to do something healing for yourself, something that makes you come alive this weekend. Share it and watch it ripple out to everyone you touch.

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The amazing John Nieto, Stinson Beach, CA

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John Nieto jumping, Stinson Beach

These days, when I’m feeling low, those gratitude lists are saving my ass.

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It’s been a doozy of a week. Personal trials over here as well as really hard stuff going on in the world. (Sending you love, Boston) These are the moments when I feel the least amount of inspiration to share a gratitude list. Thank goodness for my gratitude buddy and for this blog where I can remember how very blessed I am.

This is my gratitude list in pictures.

Feel free to leave your own list in the comments. Or, if you haven’t been matched up with a buddy, shoot me an email and I can make that happen for you! (superh[email protected]) I am thoroughly enjoying this public service. ?

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Celebrating Auntie Brig’s birthday with the boys. So grateful for dear friends.

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Good graffiti that lifts your spirits. Oh, and red boots that photograph well.

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The love between these boys. The love I have for these boys.

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Don’t you love the Trader Joe’s stickers in the hair?

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The perfect fortune that gets you through a hard time.

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Nico Boon. What else is there to say?

 

Total love affair with California.

Ben at Asilomar beach

Ben at Asilomar beach

Matt + Nico on the boardwalk, Asilomar

Matt + Nico on the boardwalk, Asilomar

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Nico laughing with Matt, Asilomar State Beach

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Nico + Ben in the sand

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Windy Nico, Asilomar State Beach

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Selfie on the way to Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, CA

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The Big Sur coastline is ridiculously beautiful, Big Sur, CA

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White sand beach in Carmel, CA

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Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, CA

 

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Nico and his muffin, Pacific Grove, CA

 

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Kickin it with Dora at the hotel room, Asilomar conference center

 

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King of the mountain, Asilomar State Beach

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My feet in the sand, Asilomar

 

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Me and one of my favorite dudes, Asilomar State Beach

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Jellies at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I know, I know. That one looks phallic.

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Ben looks good in blue.

 

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Beautiful light in the ice cream shop, Carmel, CA

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Pooped.

I’m a California girl.

I grew up near Santa Cruz and since my parents owned a retail store in Carmel, I spent many a weekend wandering in and out of the boutiques and rolling down the white sand hills of Carmel beach. My sister and I used to pretend we were elevator operators at the old I. Magnin department store and gather tips that we would later spend on candy and toys around town.

I haven’t been back in many years but this time I saw this part of California with brand new, grown-up eyes. It is amazing. The beauty of the Big Sur coastline is almost hard to wrap your head around… the wild coast, the big rocks, the turquoise water. Crazy beautiful.

For any of you looking for a gorgeous little family adventure, I highly recommend the little 3- day tour we did:

Thursday: Stayed at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove and played at Asilomar State Beach.
Friday: Monterey Bay Aquarium, Big Sur, Pfeiffer Beach, back to Pacific Grove
Saturday: Drove to Santa Cruz and played with friends and went to the tide pools at Pleasure Point
Sunday: Home

Highlights of our trip: Seeing the jellies, the white sand beach of Carmel, every beach we went to, watching movies in the hotel room, seeing old friends in Santa Cruz

Low point: Nico climbing up onto the desk of our hotel room and pooping (+ peeing) on Matt’s laptop.

All in all it was an awesome vacation. I completely fell in love with California again. Such a beautiful place to live!