Update: October 23, 2007, 5:04 PM
The evacuation order has been cleared for all of Carlsbad. The office will re-open tomorrow at 8:00 AM Pacific pending there are no further order changes. I'm grateful that my team and myself are all safe, and we're keeping those still under evacuation in our thoughts and prayers. Update: October 23, 2007, 10:05 AM
For those of you in the areas affected by the fire, here are the best resources we've found for staying up-to-date without all the hype:
October 22, 2007
4:45 PM Friends, At the time of writing, my home and office have been evacuated due to the fires raging in the San Diego area, and the James Ray International office will be closed until it's deemed safe to return by the authorities. The website will continue operate, and I'll post updates there as they are needed. These are the worst fires in California history, and San Diego County's been declared in a state of emergency. Regardless of where you reside right now, I encourage you to take heart and realize that pain is a signal to grow instead of suffer. Yes, difficulties will come in life... And don't get me wrong, the thought of boxing up a few valuables from my home is as unattractive to me as it is to anyone. Regardless, it's in the times of apparent challenge that we test who we really are. The Law of Attraction, which is so popular right now, states that you'll attract who and what you are into your life. This doesn't mean that we should blame ourselves for the fires raging like so many in the media have misinterpreted. Rather everything is your responsibility and nothing is your fault. Please read that again. If you dissect the word (response-ability), you find it really means "the ability to respond." How we choose our responses is what we'll continue to attract, create and become. To think that your life will be challenge free is illusion. Challenges are the way we test how much we have or have not developed our ability to respond. I encourage you to take heart. Realize that in every challenge there is a gift. That's why in the esoteric traditions the Philosopher's Stone (another term for enlightenment) is always found in a pile of dung. Likewise, in Buddhism the thousand-petal lotus of enlightenment always grows from the muck and mire. Is there a metaphor here? Yes, there obviously is. The Christian prophet stated to, "Judge not by appearances." I encourage you in all situations in life to not to see them as a blessing or a curse. Rather, see them as an opportunity to test your level of ability to respond. To go "three for three." Think, feel and act in accordance with what you choose versus appearances. Ask the questions: "What does this teach me about me? What can I learn about me and the world from this situation? How can I use this situation to grow and become more?" - Maybe it causes you to take and inventory of what's truly important in your life...
- Maybe it connects you more deeply with your family...
- It could cause you to open your heart and realize the power of helping your neighbor...
- Or maybe it allows you to notice how your response is more empowered than in past situations...
When you find the goodness and gifts in all life's situations, even the most difficult, the universe guarantees more goodness and gifts. In the meantime, in case you're wondering, we're all in good hands and spirits here at James Ray International and we're available for service in our community. For more information on how you can help those affected by the fires, please visit the San Diego Red Cross website. To your continued harmony and fulfillment, James Arthur Ray
President/CEO
James Ray International Labels: message, office hours, wildfires | 
We're back in action!
First, I'd like to say that I am very grateful to hear that you and your wonderful team are all out of harm's way.
A line from your email has brought me to examine the wildfire situation from a new perspective. The line is: Everything is your responsibility and nothing is your fault. I, as many others have, found comfort in those words and, obviously, no one is at fault when a wildfire takes their home but it led me to examine the headlines more closely to understand how something like this can affect one person so much differently than another. For example, "In a neighborhood littered with charred, smoldering debris, the Rancho Bernardo home of Pepe and Carolina Galmes was relatively unscathed. That left them stunned, especially because the forest behind the home was destroyed." And then, there was the San Diego news reporter who had reported so many other people's homes burning down in his career (naturally, feeling their losses) and now he was watching his own home burn to the ground. So many times people experience the precise loss that they fear the most – be it cancer or wildfires.
Honestly, sometimes knowledge of the law of attraction makes me afraid to feel sympathy for anyone...my coworkers have urged me to watch the news, even though I don't watch TV, since I am in the process of moving to the Carlsbad/Oceanside area but I have refused fearing that putting my focus on something so horrible will weaken me.
James, did you tune in to watch this tragedy unfold?
With Love, Respect and Gratitude,
Rose
San Diego is such a beautiful area. Every one there, and in LA, are in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
Desireé
I am so pleased to hear that you are all back and safe!
My prayers and thoughts have been with you all.
I continue to pray for Your Team as well as Your Fellow Californian neighbors, as I am sure getting "reorganized, situated, etc" is the huge task on hand... as well as others with larger challenges due to these fires.
I was so moved to read your blog/e-mail that you sent out to everyone. It was full of direction and hope, and overall so heartfelt and giving to think of helping others while you were enduring your own difficulties because of the occurance. I am certain that you helped so many as I am sure they had feelings of confusion, frustration and despair.
I am so grateful that you have allowed God to work through you to help others. Thank you for sharing your innate skills as well as those you have diligently strived to attain through your work ... to literally the world.
Sincerely,
Margo
I know others who are still out of their homes. Hopefully their property survived. My highest intention is that it did and they will be allowed back momentarily!
All Love,
Amy
PS. Don't know what magick you worked on the heavy smoke, but the smell seems to have improved greatly! So thank you!! ;-)
Glad things are ok at your office. I will make sure we have a healing circle tonight at Caring Center here in Virginia. I'm an American Red Cross volunteer for the Disaster Action Team in Fairfax County and know that the first few hours/days can be strenous at a time like this. To those who have been affected, hang in there help is on the way! @-,'-- here is a virtual rose.
Karen