LA Wildfire Still Rages: Five Tips For Calm in the Chaos (1/11/25)

This newsletter was published while news was still developing on the ground. (1/11/25)

It's Saturday afternoon and the devastating affects of the firestorm across Southern California have not yet ended.

Over 12,000 homes have burned to the ground, with nearly 60,000 more in harms way in a disaster of epic proportions.

But it is the stories on the ground that are the most heartwrenching.

Stories coming from Pacific Palisades, with families in tears knowing that the empty hoses of the firetrucks cannot save their home. 

Well known celebrities who have provided countless hours of entertainment to people around the globe see their homes burn on live TV, or even worse, through their cameras, seeing nothing but flames and the memories of everything they hold dear.

America is no stranger to disasters, from hurricanes to earthquakes, the forces that are beyond control.

However, this disaster may have the largest scale of long term implications with the greatest loss of property in the State of California's history, and possibly America's history.

I have been in constant contact with my colleagues, business associates, and private clients and friends throughout the region, and the sentiment is the same. The devastation and affects will be even far greater than anyone can imagine.

Here are questions you may be asking:

How can I help?

What should my response be?

How can I stay calm in the chaos (or should I remain calm) when the chaos is all around?

• You cannot control the weather or the devastating affects of a tragedy, but you can control how you respond.

• You can control your attitude. 

• You can control your level of leadership, first leading yourself and then others.

• You can control the necessity to stand up and take action when needed.

Choose to control your narrative and come from a place of strength, never downplaying the severity of the tragedy, but choosing to look for solutions and respond to others with grace.


• Are you in the zone of potential danger?

• If you were to be affected, are you ready to face any threat, whether now or in the future?

• Educate your family on the importance of being prepared and create a proactive plan to be ready when it is necessary.



• Choose to get up each morning with gratitude and review your goals.
• 
Execute on the plan of the day. 

• Continue to workout or take a walk.
• 
Take moments throughout the day for calm.
• 
Try to minimize the distractions of news during the time reserved to focus on your business.
• 
If you have children, keep them on a routine as well.


• Make an effort to strengthen positive relationships and minimize negative relationships.
• Surround yourself with people who lift you up, who can be a positive voice and an understanding attitude any hardship, and who are also working to make a greater impact on this world.

• Elevate your circle to elevate your spirits.


• Do you have influence that can be used for raising funds or spreading awareness?

• Are you working on a project or a technology that could be a game changer in the business space?

• Do you have connections to bring resources or services to an area in need?


With proactive steps, you can create an atmosphere of calm in the chaos.  

Continue to pray for Southern California.  

Continue to pray for North Carolina and Florida.

The world needs you.