It Takes a Long Time to Become Young
In 1966 a retrospective of Picasso’s paintings was exhibited in Cannes, France. Hundreds of his works, from the first he did as an adolescent beginner to the latest of the master, who was then eighty-five years old, graced the walls of the gallery.
The old man himself roamed about, enjoying the show more than anyone. One report told of a woman who stopped him and said, “I don’t understand. Over there, the beginning pictures- so mature, serious and solemn–then the later ones, so different, so irrepressible. It almost seems as though the dates should be reversed. How do you explain it?”
“Easily” replied Picasso, eyes sparkling. “It takes a long time to become young.”
—Henri J M Nouwen, Bread for the Journey
We often think maturity means becoming more serious, more guarded, more composed. But Picasso’s reflection—“It takes a long time to become young”—reminds us that true growth often brings us full circle, back to joy, freedom, and wonder. In his later years, his art became more playful, more alive—reflecting not regression, but a deeper release into authenticity.
In recovery, this can be especially encouraging. Healing doesn’t just restore what was lost—it sometimes brings us to something we never fully had: the freedom to be real, to feel deeply, to laugh again, to live lightly. As God heals our pain and reshapes our hearts, He invites us into childlike trust, not childish behavior—into joy, not just responsibility. Don’t be afraid if your journey leads you to color outside the lines, to smile more, to play again. Sometimes, the truest maturity looks a lot like becoming young. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics