Little did I know that just two hours outside of one of the largest cities in the world, I would be able to find such retreat as I did at Big Bear Mountain over President's day weekend. There were 11 of us in all and we all needed a break. We all needed to recharge our batteries. We all needed to be reminded of the fact that there is more to life than frantically running around to auditions and trying to make a name for ourselves in our respective disciplines of the Entertainment Industry. What better way to retreat than to go with the BROTHERS AND SISTERS that make up our Los Angeles family. Life is hard enough as it is, so it is far more bearable when you have people to share life with. It is the community that we all long for at our core. We want to feel like we are not alone in the fight. The eleven of us- Ben and Tracy Grayson, Emily Moss, CC Ford, Dairek Morgan, Emily Rose, John Naclerio, Anton Seim, Greg and Jesse Wilson, and myself took that fight to the mountain and we came out revitalized.
I believe the Lord calls us to enjoy life together and to rely on each other for accountability. These people in my life have been there through all the ups and downs and have seen the best and worst sides of me- Most importantly, they still accept me. We may not be the smartest people in the world, nor the most successful, but what we do have super cedes any earthly satisfaction. What we have is almost palpable to the world around us. There is a thread of genuine love that ties us all together. It is apparent in the way we crash and burn while learning to snowboard and when we shred Black Diamonds by the end of Day 2. It is apparent in how we watch out for each other's best interest. It is apparent when we are willing to endure the cold, forsaking the end of an important conversation about life and what really matters. It can be seen in how we laugh together and how we cry together. It is a beautiful tapestry.
We each go in a million different directions during our week, but when we are together, we are here. We are present. We do not mess around. We invest. For me, this is the key to survival in Hollywood. You have to have the community around you that will take you out of your 'go-home' days, and will celebrate with you on your victory days.
On this trip, a personal goal of learning how to snowboard, thanks to the help of Dairek, Emily, Ben, Tracy, and John. I fear that the days of skis are to be no more because I have found new joy on a single board.
Final Thought- Do not be afraid to invest in the lives of those around you, you may be surprised at how quick the Lord is to surround you with BROTHERS AND SISTERS to share life with.
