The past month, living in Southern California, has left me with so many different thoughts, feelings, and emotions that trying to put together a few concise paragraphs has been a challenge.

I had the opportunity to drive down the coast on Highway 1 on the morning of January 7th and was reminiscing to myself about memories of Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Santa Monica.

It is such a special area of years and years of history lined up next to each other as you pass by homes with waves meeting them and restaurants like Gladstones and Duke's that have been serving people for years.

It was devastating to learn that just a few hours later so much of it would be gone through the ravishing fires throughout Southern California.

Friends and family reached out to support one another and there were so many examples of the community coming together. There is still confusion and heartache about how the fires started and how they can be managed in extreme weather conditions. It felt like an emotional rollercoaster ride that is still continuing to go on and on.

I did, however, start to find some peace when I had an opportunity to write in my journal.

I expected myself to just be putting down a few notes and instead found myself writing about all the emotions I had been feeling.

It was powerful to look back and see my own words talking about community, perseverance, resilience, and hope for the future.

If you are in need of some solace right now amidst the turbulent tide of life, I offer the idea of free-writing about it as a practice that may help. If you want to share anything with me, just reply to this email. I’m happy to lend an ear.