We amplify our joy when we share it with others.

andrea_running_to_water_800

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

andrea_jumping_stinson_800

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.

john_smile_vertical_700

The amazing John Nieto, Stinson Beach, CA

john_nieto_jump_700

John Nieto jumping, Stinson Beach

Follow on Facebook Follow on Instagram Follow on Twitter Follow on Pinterest

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ME >

31 Comments

  1. Kimberley McGill

    You have inspired me for sure! it’s just plain time to go to the beach, dammit! Sorry, sometimes I have to add a little “dammit” to give me a push. 🙂

  2. Jill Salahub

    In my family, we call those “sand dimes” 🙂

  3. Madelyn

    I’m pretty obsessive about collecting rocks whenever I’m at the Beach, and I especially adore sea glass! I always feel like I’m stumbling on a diamond when I find some.

    So, I just wanted to share this with you:

    http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2011/08/glass-beach/

    it’s a WHOLE beach made of Sea glass. Isn’t that awesome?

  4. Renee

    Thank you for the reminder, Andrea. As always – you are a STAR!

  5. Laurel Bleadon-Maffei

    Thank you for this reminder, Andrea. I totally needed it! I sit here at my office and home trying to stay focused completely forgetting that I can take the day off and do something delicious. Here’s to wonderful self-care!

  6. Julia Jones

    My teenage hangout was Stinson Beach…nostalgia!

  7. Rhiannon

    What fun… life is for living!

  8. Nancy Guillery

    Thanks for sharing!! Giving ourselves time doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking, just a few minutes each day will do wonders for the soul.

  9. catherine

    Loving the jump shots… how very awesome. And extra awesome: the small turned into huge moments of freedom found in exploring new territory in any given day. I, too, am teaching myself to do the same. It makes all the difference in life. Good for you… Live it all up!

  10. lisa

    thank you– this is a great message for me today. AMPLIFY.

  11. Tia Tuenge

    You’re awesome lovely Andrea!
    You hooked me up with a gratitude buddy last week and today I invited my friend who lives far away to be my second gratitude buddy. Can we have too much gratitude I ask? (Rhetorically of course, hehe:) Of course we can’t!
    Much love + gratitude, Tia

  12. Miss Britt

    The thing I miss most about no longer living in Florida is the ocean. It is such a mood booster!

  13. Katie

    Hey Andrea,

    Beautiful post and beautiful rituals. You made me remember to practice gratitude and see the beauty in the smallest of things. All of this equals….HAPPINESS! And boy, am I happy! :)Katie. XXX

  14. television for free

    Hi guys,Just letting you know that You can Watch LIVE TV on your Android with ULTRA TV.

    700+ channels updated daily. Free from Google Play Store.

  15. depression

    WOW just what I was looking for. Came here byy searching for
    cure for depression

  16. work at home

    This post will assist the internet people for creating new website
    or even a weblog from start to end.

  17. piano chords

    Just follow this ridge and watch for a rope bridge.
    I never went beyond what my piano teacher assigned. Okay, so the next question about
    the cello is by S.

  18. Derma C Formula

    That is very interesting, You are an overly skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your rss feed and sit up for seeking
    more of your fantastic post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks

  19. seo tampa

    I think this is among the most significant info for me.

    And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The web site style is
    perfect, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

  20. Star Girl hack

    First off, permit me recommend you not to pay back awareness to any of the goods you can obtain in the software.

    In the sport, the participant ought to line up a few or more ‘candies’ in get to execute the ranges
    ambitions. Have you at any time purchased any extras in the sport to get previous concentrations.

  21. New age serum max strength Fitness

    It’s perfect time to make a few plazns for
    the longer term and it iss time tto be happy. I’ve learn this
    post and if I may just I wish to recommend you some attention-grabbing things or advice.

    Perhaps you could write next articles regarding this article.
    I wish to lesrn even more things about it!

  22. luxia no7 serum neck Wrinkles

    Thiss is the right webpage for everyone who really wants to understand this topic.
    You understand a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not
    that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic
    that has been discussed for ages. Excellent stuff, just wonderful!

  23. RisaARoets

    Great beat ! I would like to apprentice when you amend
    your site, how can i subscribe for a blog site?
    The account helped us a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit
    acquainted of the your broadcast provided bright clear idea

  24. code reduction e novelec

    That is really interesting, You are a very professional blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and stay up for in quest of more of your fantastic post.
    Additionally, I have shared your web site in my social networks

  25. peter hahn udsalg

    That is a good tip especially to those new to the
    blogosphere. Simple but very accurate information…
    Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!

  26. almacenes paris online

    I do consider all the ideas you have offered on your post.
    They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short
    for novices. May just you please lengthen them a little
    from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

  27. kod promocyjny komputronik

    I am really loving the theme/design of your web site.
    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility
    problems? A couple of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but
    looks great in Safari. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?

  28. migliore Cornice Digitale

    Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this web site, as
    i want enjoyment, for the reason that this this website conations really
    good funny material too.

  29. telescopio

    What’s up, its pleasant paragraph regarding
    media print, we all be aware of media is a impressive source of information.

  30. Rod

    Article writing is also a fun, if you be acquainted with
    then you can write or else it is complex to write.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Beautiful Faces. Magical Places. — Hannah Marcotti - [...] of the loves in my life, who helps me heal, laugh and feel such [...]
  2. Mara Glatzel » Body Loving Blogosphere 04.21.13 - [...] We amplify our joy when we share it with others. [...]
  3. Body Image Boosters From The Blogosphere 4.21.13 | Weightless - [...] inspiring reminder from Andrea to do something healing for [...]
  4. Happy Links: From Blogging to Building Codes — go small, think big & be happy - [...] Amplify your joy. [...]
  5. ¥Ö¥é¥ó¥É¼¤°²ÊЈö¥³¥Ô©`¥Ö¥é¥ó¥É¥³¥Ô©`,¥¹©`¥Ñ©`¥ì¥×¥ê¥«,¥Ö¥é¥ó¥É¼¤°²ÊЈö Å®ÉçéL ¼¤°² ¥·¥ã¥Í¥ë ؔ²¼(CHANEL),¥°¥Ã¥Á ؔ²¼ (GUCCI) ¼¤°²,¥ô¥£¥È¥ó(lv) Р- ¥Ö¥é¥ó¥É¼¤°²ÊЈö¥³¥Ô©`¥Ö¥é¥ó¥É¥³¥Ô©`,¥¹©`¥Ñ©`¥ì¥×¥ê¥«,¥Ö¥é¥ó¥É¼¤°²ÊЈö Å®ÉçéL ¼¤°² ¥·¥ã¥Í¥ë ؔ²¼(CHANEL),¥°¥Ã¥Á ؔ²¼ (GUCCI) ¼¤°²,¥ô¥£¥È¥ó(lv) ÐÂ×÷ ؔ²¼ ¼¤°² ¥ë¥¤¥ô¥£¥È¥óؔ²¼¥³¥Ô©`,ÐÂ×÷ ¥Ö¥é¥ó¥Ö¥é¥ó¥É¤òÌ؄eý¸ñ¤ÇÌṩÖУ¡¥ë¥¤¥ô¥£¥È¥óؔ²¼¡¢¥ë¥¤¥ô¥£¥È¥ó…

Ready for your next creative adventure?

Download the Mondo Beyondo dream generator!

Latest from the blog

CSP #82: We Should Get Together with Kat Vellos

CSP #82: We Should Get Together with Kat Vellos

Listen in to this great conversation about adult friendship with expert Kat Vellos! Kat Vellos is a trusted expert on the power of cultivating meaningful friendships. She’s a speaker and author of the book, We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better...

read more

self guided e-courses
INSTANT & FOREVER ACCESS

Choosing Ease

30 days of ease, joy and cultivating wonder

I believe that when I’m creating from a place of ease and buoyancy I am actually in flow – in alignment with myself and the Universe.

Capture the Magic

Rock your camera-phone - and discover that beauty and joy are everywhere.

The very best camera is the one that’s with you! I’ll show you how to get on your own path of joy and delight while learning photography skills along the way.

mondo beyondo

What does your heart truly want in 2020? 

What if you could name your dreams and desires for 2020 and create a plan to make them reality?

VIEW MORE COURSES

Get your FREE guide to experiencing more wonder + joy!

Hop on my mailing list to get weekly-ish inspiration, updates and your free downloadable PDF: 9 ways to experience more wonder right now. I'm so glad you're here!

You have Successfully Subscribed!