I live in Southern California, a place where wildfires are an unfortunate reality. Over the years, my family has been evacuated twice due to fires. It’s an unsettling experience, filled with uncertainty — you have no idea what you’ll return to. Fortunately, my family and I came back to an undamaged home both times. But for tens of thousands of people displaced by the fires burning across Los Angeles County, that’s not the case. It’s a tragedy that’s hard to truly comprehend.
If you’re looking to help the victims of the LA fires, here are a few organizations making a direct impact:
When you’re told to evacuate, one of the first questions you face is, “What do I take?”
In emergencies, our priorities become crystal clear. We focus first on family, friends, and pets — those we live with and love most. Then we make rapid decisions about what’s important and what isn’t.
Most advice focuses on grabbing:
- Important documents: birth certificates, passports, wills, etc.
- Extrinsic valuables: cash, jewelry, credit cards, etc.
- Intrinsic valuables: computers, photos, heirlooms, etc.
Even with a checklist, it’s hard to think clearly in the moment. That’s why so much emphasis is placed on preparing in advance — because when emotions and stress take over, clear thinking becomes a luxury.
Still, as you drive away from your home, it’s hard not to wonder, “Did I get everything?”
I remember looking back at my house as we drove away, feeling a deep sense of clarity about what truly mattered. I was forced to assess what was most important to me — and, unsurprisingly, it was my family. All the other things that I had worked so hard to accumulate and fussed over in my daily life suddenly didn’t matter.
But the longer I stayed away, the more I started worrying about what might be lost and how difficult it would be to replace. That anxiety created an internal conflict: I knew I’d prioritized what truly mattered, yet I couldn’t help worrying about the aftermath.
Needing to evacuate my home shaped my perspective in profound ways. One lasting lesson is the importance of hoping for the best while preparing for the worst. This mindset influences many aspects of my life, including how I negotiate — perhaps it’s why I spend so much time helping clients prepare for the unexpected.
But the greatest lesson has been this: Know what’s most important.
It’s a gift to have that clarity. Once you know what matters most — whether in your life or your work — everything else becomes easier to manage. You can focus your energy fully on growing and protecting the things that matter, which brings a deeper sense of peace and purpose.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by the LA fires. If you can, please consider helping the victims through donations or other means. And if nothing else, please take this opportunity to reflect on what’s most important to you.