“I am the unshakable force that bends but never breaks; no matter the odds, I endure, because survival isn’t just in my nature—it’s my birthright.”—Thomas Slatin (She/Her/Hers)
There’s a saying that has echoed through time and culture, offering a rallying cry to live boldly: You only live once. But I’ve never truly subscribed to this notion, as it implies that life is singular and linear—a one-shot deal. For me, life is far too expansive, too multifaceted, to fit neatly into that box. Instead, I embrace a different truth: We only die once, yet we have the potential to live many lives.
I’ve lived many lives. Not in the reincarnative sense, but within the bounds of a single, extraordinary existence. Each chapter of my journey has been like stepping into a new life, with a new purpose, identity, and calling. With every career path I’ve chosen, I’ve poured myself into it fully, climbed halfway up the ladder, and then found myself yearning for a completely new direction.
The lives I’ve led—firefighter, paramedic, writer, photographer, website designer, teacher—each became not just what I did but who I was. I inhabited those roles so completely that they shaped me as a person. They weren’t just jobs or titles; they were transformative eras of being. And when it was time to move on, I didn’t feel like I was abandoning them; I was evolving into a new version of myself.
Some might see this as a restless spirit or a lack of commitment, but to me, it’s freedom. I am a free spirited all-American woman, unbound by the constraints of what society thinks I should do or should be. I don’t live my life according to the clock, or a predetermined script. My time is now, and as such, I am the product of now. Every moment brings the possibility of renewal, of reinvention, of becoming. I don’t live with the weight of the past or the fear of what’s ahead.
When I look back at all the lives I’ve lived, I feel a profound gratitude. Each one taught me something invaluable, shaped my worldview, and gave me the courage to leap into the next. I’ve learned that life isn’t about achieving a singular pinnacle; it’s about the journey of climbing, exploring, and sometimes stepping off the path entirely to find a new trail.
So no, I don’t believe we only live once. That idea is far too limiting for the boundless potential of a human life. We live every time we embrace change, every time we pursue a new dream, every time we step boldly into the unknown.
We only die once. Until that day comes, I’ll keep living, over and over, as many times as my spirit demands. Because for me, that’s what it means to truly be alive.
January 13, 2025
