You only live once

You only live once.

Really? This is a common euphemism but is it true?

I have been a baby, a toddler, a child and an adolescent, a BFF, a girlfriend, a young woman, a lover, a wife, a mom, a middle-aged woman, a grandmother, and soon-to-be a senior.

Upon digging a little deeper, I have been a choir girl, a girl scout, a student, a stoner, a waitress, a hippie, a traveler, a heavy drinker, a freak, a wise-ass, a recovering addict, a storyteller, a corporate girl, a learner, an actor, a graduate, a speaker, an author, a professional trainer, a coach, a consultant, a leader, an entrepreneur, a sister, a motorcyclist, a caretaker, a failure and a success.

Which one was me?

Which incarnation was my one life?

I believe if the hippie were to meet the graduate or the addict met the corporate girl there would likely be no recognition.

At best, they might view each other as strangers.

At worst, they might think the other was a jerk.

So maybe the real question isn't whether we only live once.

Maybe we should be wondering how often we die and become something new or someone else.

How many times have you died in this life?

There are many small deaths and then the big one. The one where you actually leave your body.

It will happen to everyone eventually.

It happened in my family this month.

This past weekend I went to my Aunt Dell's funeral. She lived a long life and died at 91. The funeral was a celebration of her life.

We in the family, her siblings (my mom), her children (6), nieces & nephews (21 on the Graham side), grandchildren (19) and great-grandchildren (11) are going to miss her because she was such a huge presence in our lives.

Yet now her children have a new identity. They are orphans.

And they are the new elders in their family.

Changes are constant and forever happening.

I recently found out that two of my nieces, sisters, are both expecting their first child. And both are due in the same week. Both are having boys. What a joy!

Life is full of surprises but one thing is always assured . . .

Life WILL change.

It cannot stay the same.

You are different today than you were yesterday, or even moments ago.

I look in the mirror now and I see wrinkles.

When did that happen?

I remember when I started working at this one job in HR Operations when I was 41 and I left that job 4 years later at 45.

During my goodbye speech, when they were serving cake, I pointed out the wrinkle between my eyebrows. "That wasn't there when I started this job!" I said. It got a good laugh.

But the rest of my wrinkles? I haven't a clue when they arrived. I'm sure more will be revealed.

Time will age us all until we are all gone.

In 100 years we'll all be history.

Will you choose to live full out?

Trying on different identities and learning new things is the beauty of Earth school.

We have 365 days every year to have a new life.

There is not just one. There are as many as you want.

And the more you reach out and help others along the way, the bigger impact you will make.

Want to make a bigger impact in your next stage of life?

Get clarity on your purpose and figure out your next chapter.

That is what we'll do if you work with me in my latest program.

Check it out here or sign up for a Discovery Call.

Living life to the fullest,

Maureen