In The Face Of Powerlessness In A Firestorm

In the midst of the inferno that blazed through the Palisades, an acquaintance of mine found himself trapped, with fire raging on both sides. As the car inched along in a traffic jam at a mere one mile per hour, embers rained down relentlessly. Amidst the chaos, he clung to a lifeline—a mantra that he repeated over and over:

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

With his heart pounding and the world burning around him, he eventually emerged from the fiery chaos with nothing but his computer and the clothes on his back.

Meanwhile, I was teaching a class when the fire broke out behind my client's home. The flames crept dangerously close, and I knew I had to act swiftly. Descending the mountain, I encountered fire trucks ascending to battle the blaze. As I drove past the picturesque Caruso Center in downtown Palisades—a place once known for its manicured beauty and tranquil charm—I couldn't help but marvel at the sudden transformation. Who would have imagined that this lovely town, a haven for families and stunning homes, would be engulfed in such devastation within a matter of hours?

My days in the Palisades had been filled with memories of hiking the trails of Temescal and Will Rogers, and strolling through the serene, Norman Rockwell-esque streets to watch the sun dip below the horizon in Malibu. But now, the fires had robbed countless residents of their homes, livelihoods, schools, churches, and communities. It was as if a piece of paradise had been snatched away.

Returning home, I turned on the news, and fear tightened its grip on me. The winds were unpredictable, and there was a very real possibility that the embers could head south to Santa Monica. Inspired by the courage and resilience demonstrated by my acquaintance, I decided to be part of the solution.

Acknowledging the power of prayer, I retreated to my office and began an Instagram Live session. For an hour, my community and I prayed fervently for those affected by the tragedy, expressed our profound gratitude to the first responders, and implored for the embers to cease their spread towards Santa Monica. The act of coming together in prayer filled me with a sense of purpose and peace, knowing that I was contributing to the collective strength rather than succumbing to helplessness.

In 12-step groups, we learn that step one is acknowledging our powerlessness over people, places, and things—recognizing that we didn't cause the situation, can't cure it, and can't control it. However, I believe that step 11 offers a remedy for this powerlessness through prayer and meditation. By harnessing the power of our imagination and sending out positive thoughts, we can open the door to new possibilities and a renewed sense of hope.

Every thought is a prayer 🙏

While we may be powerless in the face of firestorms and natural disasters, reciting the serenity prayer or visualizing safety for everyone can serve as a comforting essential remedy.

PS. My heartfelt prayers remain with all those impacted by this harrowing ordeal. I extend my deepest gratitude to the first responders and volunteers for their unwavering dedication. Together, we will emerge stronger and more unified as we overcome this natural disaster, one day at a time.