At 25, with a newborn daughter and a college diploma in hand, I made a decision that would shape the next 5 decades of my life. I left my little fishing village of Point Loma—a close-knit suburb of San Diego—seeking a new career path. The family fishing business that had defined generations suddenly felt foreign to me, and, in truth, I felt just as foreign to my family after returning from college. So, with hope and a bit of uncertainty, I packed up my young family and set out to explore new opportunities.
My journey took me far from the docks of Point Loma. I lived and worked in St. Louis, Lafayette, Harrisburg, Los Angeles, New York, London, Punta Del Este, and Boca Raton. Each place offered new challenges, new cultures, and new lessons. I built a career by reinventing myself with every move and having unexplainable opportunities find me.
Eventually, I found my way back to San Diego suburbs—first to Rancho Santa Fe, then Scripps Ranch, and now, almost as if guided by fate, I am back home in Point Loma.
What surprises me the most about this return is the profound sense of comfort and contentment I feel. After decades of chasing change and growth, I have discovered an unexpected peace in the familiar. This experience has taught me invaluable lessons about identity, belonging, and the power and peace of place, familiarity and consistency—lessons that I believe are relevant to anyone navigating their own professional journey and questioning the stress in their life that comes with constant change and the consequent hormonal changes which I have been amazed at.
These places I am reconnecting with the places of my youth haven’t changed they are the same which has anchored me in ways I never anticipated. Walking the same streets, attending daily Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Ocean Beach, and visiting the old sport fishing docks and of course Point Loma Seafood—these rituals have reconnected me to my authentic self. The unchanged storefronts, the smell of the ocean, and the quirky charm of Ocean Beach’s gardens and signs have become daily reminders of where I come from and what truly matters.
Familiar places serve as powerful mirrors, reflecting back not just memories, but values and aspirations. The unchanged houses and shopfronts of Point Loma and Ocean Beach evoke a simpler time, reminding me of the dreams and ideals I held before the world demanded adaptation and reinvention. These memories have helped me clarify my core values and realign my professional ambitions with my authentic self.
After years of adapting to new environments, coming home has provided a rare sense of belonging. In Point Loma, I am not just another professional—I am part of a living history, a community that remembers and values its own. This sense of rootedness has given me a new perspective on leadership and teamwork: true belonging fosters confidence, creativity, and resilience.
In a world obsessed with change and disruption, there is immense value in consistency. The fact that the houses, shops, and rituals of my hometown have endured for half a century is deeply comforting. It has taught me that while innovation is essential, so too is honoring the traditions and foundations that make us who we are. This balance is crucial for sustainable personal and organizational growth.
Integration and Wholeness
Perhaps the greatest gift of coming home has been the integration of my past and present selves. The restless changemaker who sought new horizons can now appreciate the beauty of things that endure. This integration has brought a sense of wholeness and self-acceptance that I never expected to find.
My realization and reason for the blog——If you’re feeling disconnected or restless in your career or personal life, I encourage you to revisit the places and traditions that shaped you. Sometimes, the greatest growth comes not from moving forward, but from coming home—where you can rediscover the contentment and authenticity that fuel true success.
Thank you for letting me share my journey. I hope it inspires you to reflect on your own roots and the power of place in your professional and personal life.
