laurensaraforbes

laurensaraforbes Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from laurensaraforbes, Real Estate, Manhattan Beach, CA.

Hi! I have been off of social media since early November 2025 and I only come here to post my newsletter. I certainly mi...
02/05/2026

Hi! I have been off of social media since early November 2025 and I only come here to post my newsletter. I certainly miss seeing what’s going on—but I really enjoy the serenity of being more present. I’ve been thinking a lot about detachment lately. As many of you know, I regularly attend Al-Anon meetings, which help keep me centered and grounded in gratitude (most of the time!). Detachment was the topic at my meeting last week, and it really hit me as I listened to so many people currently suffering with alcoholism in their lives.

Today, I’m fortunate that my daily life does not involve dealing with others in active disease. But as I heard those heartbreaking stories, I was immediately reminded of what that chapter of my life felt like — perpetually worried about someone I loved having a drug or alcohol-related incident, or even dying. A constant, looming stress that never fully went away.

In Al-Anon, we learn to “detach with love” and that we “can be happy whether the alcoholic is drinking or not.” In the beginning, I couldn’t detach. I didn’t understand how to let go or how to focus on myself. It took me years to realize that what I thought was control was an illusion, and that the real work, the real project, was me.

I needed to work on my reactions to people, places, and situations. That’s where true serenity and peace live.

Over time, I’ve learned how to detach in other areas of my life as well. When a situation doesn’t go the way I hoped or planned, I’m better able to let go, trusting that whatever is meant to happen will happen. And if I slow down and pay attention, I can usually see the signs from the universe and/or God gently pointing me in the right direction.

Today, I see miracles everywhere:
in the butterfly landing on the flower right in front of me,
in the unexpected meeting with someone I had been missing,
in the meeting topic that turns out to be exactly what I needed to hear that day,
and in my incredibly blessed life, one I truly believe I deserve.

Much love,
L

I’M ON A SOCIL MEDIA CLEANSE (for my personal page) AND ON HERE JUST TO POST THIS. IF YOU WANT TO TALK 75 HARD—CALL OR T...
11/14/2025

I’M ON A SOCIL MEDIA CLEANSE (for my personal page) AND ON HERE JUST TO POST THIS. IF YOU WANT TO TALK 75 HARD—CALL OR TEXT ME BC I WON’T SEE COMMENTS OR DMS

Last month, Sean and I went on a 12-day trip to explore the Pacific Northwest. We visited Oregon, Washington, and Idaho....
10/31/2025

Last month, Sean and I went on a 12-day trip to explore the Pacific Northwest. We visited Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. It was beautiful. The thing is, we traveled by motorcycle — a Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited to be exact. Yup, you read that right. I went from mild-mannered realtor to motorcycle mamma overnight! And you know what? It was WAY outside of my comfort zone. Being on the back of the Harley with no ability to control the ride was frightening and exhilarating all at once. It forced me to get out of my head. Twelve days with no computer at all and no phone or texting while on the road (which was a lot of the time!) pushed me in so many ways.

According to most definitions, a “comfort zone” is a psychological state of familiarity and security where stress and anxiety are minimal. Experts however say, that while it offers safety, consistency, and a sense of control, staying in your comfort zone for too long can stunt personal growth…and that the area just outside your comfort zone is a “growth zone.” To get to the growth zone, most people must step into a “fear zone” of challenges and uncertainty before they can build new skills and confidence. 😅

Sean had been asking me for years to go on a motorcycle trip with him, but I kept putting it off because of my fears. I was afraid to have no control on the road and to “take a back seat.” I was afraid to lose touch with the people I talk to or communicate with daily/weekly.

I was just plain scared of the unknown. However, once I put myself in that position, I was forced to let go and once I did, the freedom was infectious. Freedom to let my mind wander, to see nature, and even my version of God in basically everything around me. It was transformational and beautiful and if I hadn’t pushed myself I would have surely missed out. As the brilliant Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” I highly recommend it! What have you done lately outside your comfort zone?

Stay well 🤓

Incredibly fun Sunday night date night at the Fonda Theater raising money for a great cause ! If you’ve been wondering ...
10/28/2025

Incredibly fun Sunday night date night at the Fonda Theater raising money for a great cause ! If you’ve been wondering what Billy Idol, Rick Springfield, DMC, B-Real, Billy Morrison and others are up to..here you go! Couldn’t pick just one clip—it was so TICKY 😝

I had the incredible honor of being the guest of at the MB Rotary this morning. What an incredible group of inspiring ...
10/21/2025

I had the incredible honor of being the guest of at the MB Rotary this morning. What an incredible group of inspiring people who want to make a difference! And at the top of that list is Val. I so admire her. If you don’t know Val or her story, you should. Division One swimmer, avid reader, Peace Core volunteer and one of the most authentic people you will ever meet. Hard working, ridiculously fun to be around and someone I’m grateful to have in my life. Thanks for including me in moments like this Val—and thanks Manhattan Beach Rotary for making me feel so welcome! (Please excuse my horrible photography…🤪)

Date night in Beverly Hills is a 10 out of 10. If you haven’t been lately, go! New staff and new chef. Everything was a...
10/12/2025

Date night in Beverly Hills is a 10 out of 10. If you haven’t been lately, go! New staff and new chef. Everything was amazing. Especially my date 😍.

Amazing Hometown Fair weekend with a Dua Lipa kicker!! So fun being around so many fabulous people!! Thanks for being s...
10/07/2025

Amazing Hometown Fair weekend with a Dua Lipa kicker!! So fun being around so many fabulous people!! Thanks for being such a fabulous host! Now all I need is to sleep for a week 🤪.

If you’re like me, you don’t often ask for help. I tend to worry about putting people out, and sometimes I feel like if ...
10/01/2025

If you’re like me, you don’t often ask for help. I tend to worry about putting people out, and sometimes I feel like if I want it done right, I need to do it myself…

But a few months ago, one of my colleagues asked for help. She had tried to complete a challenge several times on her own, but hadn’t been successful. This time, she invited support. Now on this part—offering my help—I’m usually an immediate yes, and this time was no different. Why do I do that? Refuse to ask but then immediately say yes?

So, I committed to the 75 Hard Challenge (I’ll explain more in another newsletter or you can look it up), to support someone I admire and respect. And you know what? It changed my life. Those 75 days taught me a lot about myself, my health and so much more. And what I also learned quite clearly is that in asking for help, we actually gift those we ask. Yes, we give others the chance to show up for us, but sometimes, in saying yes, it changes their lives too. I doubt my friend realized that in asking for help, she would have such a powerful impact on all of us who joined her. This realization has really opened my eyes about reaching out to others—what about you?

It is hard to believe that August 17th marked one full year since we said “I do”. A few years ago, I probably would have...
08/29/2025

It is hard to believe that August 17th marked one full year since we said “I do”. A few years ago, I probably would have said this would never happen. Getting married after 50 has taught me so much about patience, self-worth, self-love and the beauty of timing. For decades, I have poured my heart into helping people find their dream homes, not realizing I was also on a journey to find something just as meaningful, a partner who truly fits me. And just like in real estate, sometimes the perfect fit takes time, and a little bit of acceptance!!!

If you’re still waiting on a big life change — whether it’s love, a new career, a move, or something else personal, don’t give up! Every chapter we live through teaches us something, and every delay is often just preparation for something better. I’m so grateful for every lesson that led me here, in love and in life, and I hope you give yourself the same grace as your story unfolds.…
xoxo L

The world lost a special human last week. Someone very near to our hearts is no longer physically here, and it hurts. Lo...
08/01/2025

The world lost a special human last week. Someone very near to our hearts is no longer physically here, and it hurts. Loss and grief are so interesting… I feel them physically. It can be exhausting and so confusing.

While I hadn’t known Michael “Swany” Swanson for very long (not long enough!), he profoundly impacted my life over the last three years. He was my husband’s best friend and quickly became a true friend to me as well. Level-headed, kind, and deeply considerate, Swany was so present, in the moment and genuinely happy. He was a teacher and a coach, so he just naturally listened and cared. And he was a scratch golfer—it was his passion.

When I first met Swany, he was setting off on the Appalachian Trail —something he had always wanted to do. It was incredible to hear his trail stories, and it made me want to be more adventurous. I wish I were more like Mike, more of the time. I was thinking just that in my yoga class this morning when Mar, our inspirational teacher, reminded us of how fast time goes by. I recently recalled hearing that most of us only have about 80 summer vacations in our lives. That leaves me with approximately 22… and that doesn’t sound like enough to me! I wouldn’t say I am a procrastinator, but sometimes when it comes to things for myself, like trips away or just adventures, I don’t feel I plan ahead enough. I am using Mike’s example to be better at that. How about you? Do you prioritize making the most of your “80 Summers”?

Mike’s family is making this simple request that I will pass on to you: “We kindly ask you to honor his spirit by performing a random act of kindness in his name, a kind gesture, a helping hand, or a donation to your local charity and assist in spreading the joy he shared with us.” What an easy and wonderful ask.

With love and gratitude, L

I have a habit of trying to fix things—even when they’re not mine to fix. Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard several ti...
07/01/2025

I have a habit of trying to fix things—even when they’re not mine to fix. Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard several times the idea that it’s not our “right or responsibility” to fix or judge people, places, or things. But my default (thanks to being the daughter of an alcoholic and my training as a lawyer) is to look for “what’s wrong here,”—which inevitably leads me to what needs to be changed or fixed. Lately, I’ve been hearing more about “green flags.” We’re so used to looking for red flags—things that stop us from enjoying or loving. But what if we looked for green flags instead? What’s right here? What’s beautiful about this person, this situation, this place? What am I learning from this? It’s a serious mindset shift, and I’m working on it. It’s hard—my default is so strong and so deeply embedded in me—but when I search for green flags, I see so much beauty: in the eyes of the person ringing up my coffee, in the rain feeding our planet, or in the situation that’s helping me grow. What are you working on?

Do you ever start a great personal habit and then unintentionally let it fade? I am ashamed to admit that I had an incre...
06/01/2025

Do you ever start a great personal habit and then unintentionally let it fade? I am ashamed to admit that I had an incredible, consistent, meaningful meditation practice that somehow disappeared...like it didn’t exist for months upon months. I slowly started to notice how I was getting annoyed and triggered by things that had become easy to let go. I felt rushed and unsettled at times when, before, things really flowed. It sounds crazy, but I truly believe that Zen proverb, “You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day. Unless you’re too busy, then you should sit for an hour.” When I meditate, I feel like I have more time, even though it takes time out of my day. Now that I am back to my practice, I cannot believe I ever let it slip. It centers me and makes most things better. If you are not meditating, I highly recommend a gentle practice, and a great read for that is “8 Minute Meditation” by Victor Davich—that’s how I started. What other good habits can you recommend? What do you want to get back to doing? Happy (almost) summer!

Address

Manhattan Beach, CA
90266, 90267

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when laurensaraforbes posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category