Life can throw some serious curveballs, and I can vouch for that. My son tragically passed away due to whooping cough, a moment that marked the lowest point of my existence. I found myself drowning in a sea of sorrow, grappling with an overwhelming sense of grief.
To make matters worse, my wife’s brother had passed away just a couple of years prior, leaving us both in a fragile emotional state. We retreated from the world, seeking solace in our own little bubble. At the time, we were also caring for three other children, which doubled our family size when we decided to foster three more kids—a 7-year-old girl and 1-year-old twins. We hoped to adopt them, but the state returned them to their biological mother, creating a bittersweet situation that felt both like a blessing and a nightmare.
In search of a fresh start, my wife and I embarked on a spontaneous road trip with our three kids from New York. But just as we were on our way to the airport, my wife experienced a momentary loss of memory—could it have been a stroke? Thankfully, her memory returned, and the doctors assured us there was no lasting damage. Despite my fears, she bravely boarded the plane.
We embraced a nomadic lifestyle as digital entrepreneurs, traveling from New York City to San Diego, Mexico, and Canada. Each night was an adventure, never knowing where we would lay our heads. It was pure bliss—an exhilarating six-month journey that led us to Hawaii for what we thought would be a golden opportunity, only to discover it was a mirage. Yet, we are grateful for that experience because it taught us to own our lives regardless of the deceit we faced.
Now, we create books, videos, and run businesses focusing on living intentionally and without regret. We have real companies generating real revenue and making meaningful contributions to society. Life is fleeting, and though it may sound cliché, the truth remains. We’ve embraced minimalism, possessing very little material items, but we treasure our time and our impact on humanity deeply.
If you’ve encountered tragedy, ask yourself, “How can I find meaning and transform this adversity into a victory?” Recently, my son was involved in a serious car accident in Hawaii—a terrifying moment that could have ended differently. Thankfully, he’s okay and even participated in a surf competition just last weekend.
We choose to move forward without placing blame. Instead, we express gratitude and take ownership of our journey. As Sheryl Sandberg wisely stated, “We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.”
Is life proving to be tough? Embrace it! You were forged to conquer challenges.
Check out our short documentary that we made ourselves about living courageously and intentionally, even in the face of despair. It was filmed before Lincoln’s accident, but the message remains powerful.
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Summary:
In this inspiring narrative, Jamie Rivers reflects on the depths of grief following the loss of his son and the challenges faced during that tumultuous period. Through resilience, he shares the transformative lessons learned about embracing life, minimalism, and the power of intentional living, ultimately encouraging others to find meaning in their struggles.