Having called Santa Monica, Brentwood, and Pacific Palisades home since the early 1990s, I've witnessed our community transform through decades of change. As both a longtime resident and realtor, I've navigated countless home journeys – not just for my clients, but through my own experiences of buying, renovating, and selling properties across these cherished neighborhoods.
Today, as I watch the Palisades fire sweep through our neighboring hills, I'm reminded of a profound lesson learned from witnessing previous fires, including the devastating Malibu blazes: the true value of home lies not in its square footage or luxury amenities, but in its role as our emotional sanctuary. Through years of helping others find their perfect homes while creating my own safe havens, I've discovered that cultivating gratitude for our current space – wherever that may be – provides an anchor of emotional stability in uncertain times.
In our fast-paced Los Angeles real estate market, we're often focused on the next move, the bigger house, the better view. But today's events invite us to pause and reflect on something we frequently take for granted – the profound gift of having a place to call home.
The Gift of Basic Comforts
We often forget that what we consider "basic" amenities are actually profound privileges:
- Only 74% of the global population has access to safely managed drinking water
- Just 54% of people worldwide have access to safely managed sanitation systems
- Approximately 85% of people have access to electricity
- Less than 60% of the world's population has internet access in their homes
These aren't just statistics – they're reminders of the extraordinary comfort and security most of us experience every day.
Experiencing Your Home Through Five Senses
Touch
- Feel the smooth countertop under your fingertips
- Notice the texture of your favorite chair
- Experience the warmth or coolness of your floors
- Touch the walls that shelter you from the elements
Sight
- Observe how natural light plays across your rooms throughout the day
- Notice the colors you've chosen to surround yourself with
- Look at the views from your windows – trees, sky, neighboring homes
- See the personal touches that make your space uniquely yours
Sound
- Wake to the morning chorus of birds in your trees
- Listen to the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze
- Hear the familiar creaks of your floorboards
- Appreciate the peaceful moments or lively conversations that fill your rooms
- Notice how neighborhood sounds change from dawn to dusk
Smell
- The sweet fragrance of blooming jasmine and roses in your garden
- The invigorating scent of freshly cut grass
- The lingering aroma of home-cooked meals
- The natural ventilation that brings fresh ocean air into your space
- Your favorite flowers arranged in a vase
Taste
- Fresh herbs snipped from your kitchen garden
- Sun-ripened tomatoes and citrus from your backyard
- The morning coffee in your kitchen
- The meals shared around your table
- The satisfaction of eating vegetables you've grown yourself
Creating Your Sanctuary
Instead of focusing on what your home lacks, consider these ways to enhance your current space:
- Declutter with Purpose
- Remove items that don't bring joy or serve a purpose
- Create space for what matters most
- Organize in a way that makes daily life easier
- Create Comfort Zones
- Designate areas for specific activities: reading, working, relaxing
- Add soft textures through pillows, throws, or rugs
- Arrange furniture to promote both conversation and quiet reflection
- Bring Nature Inside
- Add plants to purify air and bring life to rooms
- Open windows for fresh air when possible
- Use natural materials in your decor
- Establish Rituals
- Create morning or evening routines that help you appreciate your space
- Light candles or play music to set different moods
- Make your bed each morning as an act of caring for your space
A Moment of Gratitude
As we watch our brave firefighters protect homes in the Palisades, we're reminded that our homes are more than just structures – they're our sanctuaries, our safe spaces, our anchors in uncertain times. The perfect home isn't about square footage or luxury amenities; it's about the feeling of security, comfort, and belonging it provides.
Take a moment today to walk through your home mindfully. Touch the walls that protect you. Listen to the sounds of life within. Smell the familiar scents that welcome you. See the memories you've created. Taste the comfort of being in your own space.
Your home, exactly as it is right now, is someone else's dream home. It's a privilege to have a space to call our own, a refuge from the world, a place to build memories and dreams.
Remember, the quest for the perfect home often blinds us to the perfection that already exists in the space we call home.
In light of the current fires, please remember to stay informed about evacuation notices and air quality warnings. Our thoughts are with those affected by the fires and the brave first responders working to protect our communities.