I was an island...

I was told by nearly everybody that Los Angeles can be a very difficult place to make friends and find community. When I moved out here in late October of 2005, I thought this was apropos. I was embarking on a solitary journey that would provide plenty of alone time to figure out who I was. I was coming off a rough couple of years and I thought a bout of solitude would prove necessary and beneficial (I know, I know, leave it to me to move from the middle of Iowa to a crazy city to find solitude).

Truly though, I spent the first year virtually by myself every night, which might sound depressing or unhealthy, but I really believe it was necessary for me. After two years of serious spiritual and personal turmoil I needed to get away from everything I had become accustomed--everything that made me comfortable. Basically, I felt like a leap of faith into the unknown was crucial to my restoration as a man. Sometimes healing and growth can only occur when we are completely out of our element. I have never been an advocate of the "just me and God" mentality, but sometimes an extended stay in the valley is necessary for renewal (for those of you familiar with the San Fernando Valley, no pun intended). All that being said, I always had an amazing group of friends and family that supported me via phone on a daily basis, which kept me grounded. Although I experienced overwhelming anxiety at times, I never felt alone.

Anyway, what's the point of this story? Where's the payoff? These last few months I have seen and felt the need to become involved in community again, but my year as an island has made this difficult. I have felt extremely awkward around groups of people at times and have dragged my feet rather than jumping in. This past weekend, however, I attended a retreat in Santa Barbara through a church I started casually attending recently. I knew no one. While I have indeed made some friends out here and have been involved in some activities prior to this weekend, this was the first time I've been thrust into a situation like this in months. Although this proved challenging and extremely uncomfortable, it was the best thing I could have done. Not only did I meet some wonderful people that I look forward to investing in and allowing to invest in me, I was surrounded by believing people that share in a love of the arts. It is a remarkable thing to engage with a group that share both spirituality and creativity. I was blessed and am thoroughly excited about such a community.