Entering a New Phase of Life

Jane and I moved into our new home in Henderson, Nevada one week ago today. Moving has been a whirlwind, and a blessing from start to finish. Much like how we landed in Santa Monica 4 1/2 years ago, we feel God’s hands all over this. From finding the perfect home in the perfect community, to every step of the move itself. Smooth. Feels right. Already connecting with people and the land.

We loved our beach bungalow in Santa Monica. Jane especially loved swimming in the ocean in our “front yard.” With dolphins. That part was magical. And the friendships we developed will be lifelong. We will miss our neighbors, our friends. We were heavily involved in our community. We plan on maintaining all of the ties we built. It’s not “goodbye” to the people or the organizations. It’s just a relocation, a mere 4-hour drive, which we plan on taking often. 

Both of us are embracing our newfound semi-retirement status. I’m officially retired from production. I can’t imagine making a film more meaningful or impactful than “WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer.” I also poured my heart and soul into the companion book, “L.O.V.E. Is The Answer.” This little film/book combo making a huge impact is, well, my opus. So, I’m going out on top. I plan on continuing the followup work of L.O.V.E. Is The Answer, that is, helping people to use the film and the book to learn how to love each other. That has become my life’s work. In a sense, it always was, just not in as direct of a form. People often ask, “what would you do if money wasn’t an issue?” I’m blessed to be doing exactly what I was put on earth to do.

For me, this move is about our current and future health. I’ve spent much of the past four years in a hyper-vigilant state, which does not serve me well as a person diagnosed with PTSD. With all the beauty of beachfront living, it comes with a price. Especially now during a pandemic and seemingly everyone in L.A. choosing to make Santa Monica the place where they come to let loose, free of masks or any other regard for anyone’s personal safety and well-being. Not to mention the steadily rising kinds of crime that don’t register in the police reports because they simply can’t show up for all of the petty thefts, minor assaults, and incessant screams in the night by the mentally ill and drug-addicted attacking each other or their grabbing whatever isn’t nailed down.

So, from the ocean to the desert we have gone. Willingly, excitedly, thankfully embracing this new season of life. I’m already enjoying the community pool, the stillness of the nights, the quiet streets, and 3x the space at half the cost. Friends in Santa Monica and everywhere, I see a few “for sale” signs in the neighborhood, and we know a really good realtor. Desert life, even during a heat wave, is pretty good. Just sayin.