A Journal Entry from Los Angeles: Reflections on Fire, Nature, and Life - (11th January, 2025)

It’s January 2025, and I’m sitting with my journal, reflecting on how this year has begun. I came to Los Angeles to spend time with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson—a visit filled with love and laughter. Yet, as I sit here just 20 kilometers away from a Raging Wildfire, my heart feels heavy.

At least 16 lives have been lost, more than 100,000 people are under evacuation orders, and over 10,000 homes and structures have been reduced to ashes. The economic losses could exceed $50 billion, making this one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history.

I find myself asking Why?

Why do we have to face such destruction? Why do so many lives get uprooted? Why do such tragedies occur? What is nature trying to teach us?

These questions weigh on my mind, and as I sit with them, I feel the need to collect my thoughts and share them with you. This wildfire has made me reflect on the interconnectedness of nature, the elements, and how they influence not just the world around us but also the emotions and energies within us.

In many spiritual philosophies, fire, wind, and water symbolize opposing yet complementary forces. Their connection is inseparable: fire cannot be cleared without water, and it grows stronger with wind.This interplay invites us to reflect on the elements within and around us.

Fire symbolizes the energies of passion, drive, and sometimes anger, while water reflects emotions, intuition, and tranquility. Wind, with its invisible power, represents change and communication. Are we, as individuals, nurturing a balance between these forces in our lives?

Awareness: Nature’s Call to Presence

The wildfire is not just a tragic event; it’s a wake-up call. Nature speaks to us in whispers and, at times, through dramatic displays of its power. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the earth we walk on—all these elements hold energies that influence our lives. Yet, how often do we pause to acknowledge their presence?

We are often so caught up in our routines that we forget the profound connection we have with these elements. Gratitude for these gifts is not just a practice but a way of living in harmony with the world around us. The wildfire teaches us to pay attention: to be present, to respect what we have, and to protect it.

The Elements That Shape Us and Our Lives

You may already know that our bodies—and the world we live in—are made up of five essential elements: fire, air (wind), water, earth, and space. These elements aren’t just physical forces; they hold deep spiritual meaning and influence how we feel, think, and act.

In times of balance, these elements create harmony in our lives. But when one element becomes overpowering, as it has in this wildfire, it disrupts everything—both externally and internally. Let’s explore each element and how they relate to this incident and to us as individuals.

Fire: Transformation and Passion

Fire is the most visible force in this tragedy. Spiritually, fire symbolizes transformation—it burns away the old to make way for the new. It also represents passion, energy, and drive. But when uncontrolled fire becomes destructive, consuming everything in its path.

This wildfire reflects the fire within us—our emotions like anger, frustration, or even intense ambition. Just like wildfire, if these feelings are not managed, they can destroy relationships, peace, and even our health.

Reflection: Are you using your inner fire constructively, or are you letting it burn out of control? What needs to be transformed or renewed in your life?

Air (Wind): The Unseen Force

The wind has played a massive role in spreading this fire here, pushing it further and faster than anyone can contain. Air is invisible but powerful, just like our thoughts and words. Spiritually, it represents Communication, Clarity, and Change.

Just as the wind fuels the wildfire, our thoughts and words can fuel the energy around us. Negative thoughts or careless words can spread like wildfire, causing harm. And positive, intentional communication can bring peace and clarity.

Reflection: Are your thoughts and words uplifting those around you or unintentionally spreading chaos? Are you allowing fresh, positive ideas to flow into your mind?

Water: Healing and Emotions

The ocean stands silently by the coast, watching the fire consume the land. Water is the element of healing, flow, and emotions. It teaches us to release what no longer serves us and to go with life’s natural Rhythm.

In this situation today, the ocean’s stillness contrasts sharply with the fire’s chaos. It reminds us that even in the face of destruction, we can find moments of calm and emotional release.

Reflection: Are you holding onto emotions that need to flow away? How can you bring more calm and healing into your life?

Earth: Stability and Grounding

The earth is our foundation—the homes we live in, the ground we walk on. Yet, this wildfire has destroyed over 10,000 homes, leaving thousands of families uprooted. It’s a heartbreaking reminder of our fragile sense of stability.

Spiritually, the earth represents grounding, security, and abundance. When the ground beneath us feels shaky, we must find ways to ground ourselves within.

Reflection: Are you grounding yourself in gratitude for what you have? How can you create stability within yourself when life feels uncertain?

Space: The Container of All Things

Space is the element that holds everything together. It’s the container for all the other elements, the emptiness that allows us to pause, reflect, and grow. Without space, there would be no room for fire to burn, water to flow, air to move, or earth to stand.

In our Inner lives, space represents mental clarity and emotional room. It’s the silence between thoughts, the pause that lets us breathe. This wildfire has reminded me of the importance of creating space—not just in our homes but in our minds and hearts.

Reflection: Are you giving yourself the space to pause and reflect, or are you filling your life with constant noise and clutter? How can you create room for peace and growth?

Each Breath, Each Moment Matters

As I reflect on these elements, I am reminded of how fragile and precious life is. Every breath we take, every moment we live, is a gift. Watching this wildfire unfold has taught me that life can change in an instant. It has also reminded me of the importance of gratitude—for our homes, our loved ones, and the elements that sustain us.

Have you paused to appreciate the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the roof over your head?

Are you expressing gratitude for the people who bring love and joy into your life? Or are you taking them for granted?

Gratitude isn’t just a feeling; it’s a practice. It’s what keeps us grounded in times of chaos and helps us find peace during uncertainty.

Gratitude In Between the Chaos

As I sit here with my family, safe and surrounded by love, my heart feels both heavy and full. Heavy because of the devastation unfolding so close to us—homes, memories, and lives reduced to ash. Full because this moment reminds me just how much I have to be grateful for:

• The air I breathe.
• The roof over my head.
• The relationships that bring love, strength, and comfort to my life.
• Even the simple joys, like the smile on my child’s face.
• And the sun that rises every morning, reminding me that while it sets here, it is always rising somewhere else—a profound realization of life’s continuous Rhythm.

This wildfire has brought an awakening for me—a reminder that nothing in life is guaranteed. The things we often take for granted, the air, the warmth of the sun, the safety of home, can vanish in an instant. Gratitude, I’ve realized, is not just a fleeting emotion or a polite “thank you.” It is a way of life, a conscious choice to see and honor the extraordinary within the ordinary.

Gratitude is also an act of presence. It’s about pausing, breathing, and truly seeing the blessings around us, no matter how big or small. When we live in gratitude, we align ourselves with the rhythms of life and the elements that sustain us—fire, air, water, earth, and space. Each moment becomes a reminder of how interconnected and precious life truly is.

This wildfire, though devastating, has reminded me to embrace gratitude as a daily practice—a grounding force in times of chaos and a guide to appreciating the beauty of what remains.

Reflecting on Life’s Lessons

This wildfire is more than a tragedy—it’s a teacher. As I sit here, witnessing the destruction unfolding just a few kilometers away, I can’t help but feel the weight of its lessons. Nature, in all its raw and uncontrollable power, is reminding me of how fragile life is. It’s reminding me how deeply we are connected to the elements—fire, air, water, earth, and space. These forces are not just shaping the world outside but also the world within us.

But as I watch this fire rage, a thought keeps coming back to me: how often do we create wildfires in our own lives?This wildfire is real. It’s nature’s call—something completely out of our control. But the fires we ignite in our everyday lives, in our relationships, in our thoughts and emotions—those are often sparked by us.

• Have you ever said something in anger and watched it spread, burning through trust, love, or understanding?
• Have you ever let a single negative thought spiral out of control, turning into fear, resentment, or doubt?
• Have you ever held onto a grudge so tightly that it lingered for years, waiting to erupt?

These wildfires may not be visible, but their damage can be just as devastating. And the painful truth is, we often don’t realize the fires we’re creating until they’ve already consumed something precious.

I feel this deeply because I’ve done it too. There have been times when my own words or actions unintentionally hurt people I love. Times when I let fear or anger take control, leaving emotional wreckage behind. Watching this wildfire, I feel the weight of those moments and the lessons they carry.

A Wake-Up Call to Pause

This moment feels like a wake-up call—not just to witness nature’s power, but to reflect on how we’re living our lives. While we can’t control the forces of nature, we can choose how we respond to challenges, emotions, and relationships.

• Are we taking steps to nurture balance and calm?
• Are we pausing to reflect before reacting, or are we allowing our emotions to take over and consume everything in their path?

This wildfire has made me realize that balance isn’t just about managing the elements in the world around us—it’s about managing the elements within us.

Final Thoughts to Reflect

As I sit with these thoughts, I feel the need to share them with you—not just as words, but as a heartfelt conversation. I invite you to take a moment with me and reflect:

• Are you aware of the fires you might be igniting in your life?
• In your relationships, your thoughts, your emotions?
• What small actions can you take to nurture balance instead of chaos?
• Could it be pausing before reacting, letting go of a grudge, or speaking with kindness instead of frustration?
• What are you grateful for today?
• Have you paused to acknowledge the love, the support, and the blessings that are already in your life?

I don’t have all the answers, but what I know is this:

"We cannot control everything, but we can choose how we live, how we respond, and how we nurture the relationships and moments that matter most".

This wildfire is a reminder of the delicacy of life, but it’s also an invitation to awaken. To live more intentionally. To pause, reflect, and recognize the beauty and balance we can create when we live with gratitude and mindfulness.

So, I leave you with this thought:

• What will you do today to extinguish the wildfires within your own life and to honor the blessings you already have?

This isn’t just a question—it’s a call to action. Let’s take this moment to breathe, to connect, and to rebuild—not just the world outside but the one within.