Thoughts from the Editor

“Where are you from?” is one of the most commonly asked introductory questions we have in our conversational lexicon. With the answer to that simple question we find out that a person was born in another country, or right down the street. We discover that we went to the same school or they moved here in the 5th grade. Or we’re able to discern that the person’s accent is actually South African, not Australian (I always get those mixed up). Understanding where people are from gives us great insight about who they are.

I most often tell people “I’m from here” when first introduced. The “here” I’m referring to is Visalia, Tulare County, California. I’m a fourth-generation Visalian, which, like many kids with a “small town” heritage, is not something I was always proud to say. I was eager to see what else was available beyond the place I grew up. So as an 18-year-old I joined a Christian missionary organization and set out for two years, traveling back and forth across the United States and Canada four times. I stayed in a new town or city every night and met over 100 different families that would graciously let me crash in their spare bedroom or on their sofa. It was a hoot to spend time with people from incredibly diverse backgrounds and histories.

During this period of life, I also had the opportunity to travel abroad to 10 vastly different countries. I was able to spend weeks traveling through western India, skiing the Swiss Alps, visiting villages on the outskirts of Port-Au-Prince, snorkeling in the Virgin Islands, and marching with thousands in the streets of San Jose, Costa Rica when their local soccer team won the championship. I now realize that this type of life experience was a unique privilege and the joy of a lifetime for this small-town kid. Yet, one of the deep deposits in me was an immense love for home.

In that short span of years, I packed in a lifetime of experiences that helped to ground and shape me as a man. But one thing that was evident in it all was the fact that I was a visitor. I was a sojourner, passing through someone else’s home. My home was in Central California.

Since then, I’ve often thought about what it means to be at home. It’s a question I’ve reflected on as a son and now as a father, as a friend, a citizen, and a steward. And what I’ve come to realize is that home is built. It’s cultivated and tended to. It’s planned and watched over. Building a home takes time, love, and attention. Home is a shared experience that we each have a unique role in creating and caring for.

Whatever experiences and opportunities our individual lives have provided for us, we each get a chance to build a place around us that is safe and full of love, welcomes people, fosters true connection, and makes room for people to be at ease. We all need a place like this in our lives. My hope for our communities (and for my life) is that we become the kind of people that create places like these: beautiful homes.

Cheers,

Eric Riley Executive Editor Lifestyle Magazine President / Owner Topograph

March 2023

Scan here to read more about our monthly contributors, see a list of rack locations, or to sign up for a monthly subscription.

Words by Lifestyle Staff

matter how big, small, elaborate, or modest a home is, the feeling of being connected emotionally with a deep sense of belonging is how people find the most meaning. Local wife, mom, and business owner Karol Anderson shares that although she prefers her home to be clean and organized, she realizes that creating an environment that evokes comfort is the most important. A home is typically a place of refuge. It’s where significant memories are built with friends and family and where one can truly be themselves. It’s where parents aim to provide stability, comfort, and connection with their children; planting these roots will lay the foundation for them to build deep relationships over time.

We may equate home with the feeling we have when we walk in the door—feeling welcomed to come “recharge” after a long day away. Adding personalized touches to your entry can create an immediate warmth and comfort. For some, that could mean a scenic piece of art reminiscent of a favorite vacation. For others, it could be seeing hints of family around the entry, like the sight of small sneakers or a cherished hat on a hook.

Living spaces can have a big impact on our social and psychological well being. Everything from color schemes to home decor to textures can affect your mood and liveliness. Creating coziness and warmth for your family to find reprieve can improve mental health. Keep plush throw blankets on hand to snuggle with on the couch during movie night, or add a comfortable oversized chair to sink into with a book in hand. Karol agrees and aims to prioritize these elements in her own home. “I’ve come to appreciate that less is truly more and to prioritize comfort over trends. Filling our home with personal elements such as our family photos creates feelings of warmth for our family.”