One in a Million: Adam Kobler
Things have been tough for Adam Kobler the past couple of years. On November 16th, 2023 he lost the love of his life, Kate. "When you lose the person you're sharing your life with, all the plans that you had for your life go with them," Adam shared. For him and many "Jacks" who lose their loved one comes the loss of day-to-day meaning. He continues, "Living in a vacuum of purpose and direction is disheartening at best." Trying to quantify his new purpose through soul searching, this fellow Sequel Maker can attest that he's getting there. He has a strong sense of self - indeed he has a Code of Honor he recites daily - and is well practiced with introspection.
Adam shared that for most of his adult life he desired to make big differences in the lives of others, and on a grand scale, but now he sees the value in making "small" differences; Seemingly inconsequential things like holding a door or listening to someone. This isn't lip service for Adam. He strives to be a servant leader, and actively seeks his own direction by watching and listening for patterns. One guiding principle of this is that "the universe continues to teach us a lesson until we learn it."
These days (through continuing to do the work of grief) Adam feels lighter both mentally and emotionally, which gives him the energy and capacity to continue seeking his purpose. It's easy to say for many, but few embrace this mission as proactively as Adam. He has rediscovered his love of running and hiking, and he has revived his fundraising organization, Team Samurai, in memory of his late father and Kate.
A lesson Adam learned from Kate is that self-care is important. "She knew how to slow down and appreciate the little things that bring joy," he recalls. "Be kind and patient with yourself. It's so important to recognize that you're going through one of the hardest things for a human to experience. Throw the 'rules' out the window and do what feels right for you in the moment." One recommendation Adam has is to take a look at the book It's Okay That You're Not Okay by Megan Devine. Much of what he has practiced over the last couple years came out of ideas written there.
