Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges our way. For me, the lowest point came when I lost my son to whooping cough. The grief that followed was overwhelming, and I felt as though I had retreated into a dark hole, disconnected from the world. It was a time of deep sorrow, especially as my wife had also lost her brother just a few years prior, leaving our family to navigate through immense pain.
In the midst of this heartache, we found ourselves with three additional children—a seven-year-old girl and one-year-old twins—who needed a loving home. We intended to adopt them, but the state ultimately returned them to their biological mother. This experience was both a blessing and a heart-wrenching nightmare.
We decided to embark on a road trip from New York, seeking a change in scenery. However, on our way to the airport, my wife suffered a memory loss, possibly from a stroke. Thankfully, her memory returned, and the doctors assured us that there was no lasting damage. Despite my fears, she boarded the plane, and we began a new chapter as digital nomads, traveling from New York City to San Diego, Mexico, and Canada, living spontaneously without knowing where we’d lay our heads each night.
This lifestyle was liberating. For six months, we embraced the unknown until we eventually moved to Hawaii, chasing a promised opportunity that turned out to be a disappointment. Yet, we are grateful for that twist of fate—it empowered us to take control of our lives. Now, we focus on what truly matters: living intentionally and contributing meaningfully to the world. We’ve created books, videos, and businesses centered around embracing life without regret.
Life is fleeting—a truth that rings true despite being clichéd. We’ve adopted a minimalist lifestyle, owning very little in terms of material possessions, yet we cherish what we do have: our time and our commitment to making a difference. In the face of tragedy, it’s essential to reflect on how we can extract meaning from our experiences and turn adversity into strength.
Recently, another scare rocked our family when our son was nearly hit by a car in Hawaii. Miraculously, he survived and even participated in a surf contest just days later. We choose to move forward without blaming anyone, including God. Instead, we express gratitude and embrace life fully. As Sheryl Sandberg wisely noted, “We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.”
If you’re facing tough times, remember: you are capable of overcoming any challenge. Embrace the struggle and thrive. Before my son’s accident, we created a short documentary on living courageously despite hardship. You can check it out here, as well as more insights on family-building options to help you navigate your journey.
In summary, life’s hardships can teach us invaluable lessons about resilience, purpose, and gratitude. Through our experiences, we’ve learned to appreciate what truly matters and to live with intention.