86,400 Seconds

Today is the eve of the the new year 2023.  Yesterday I posted a photo collage of some of the amazing escapes from the past year; still not enough. I have self imposed limits and external limits that have robbed me. I do live at peace with the life I have.  

Palm Beach, 12/4/2022

In February 2023 I will turn 75. That is a milestone in all books. I never dreamed I would live this long. Now exceeding the years of life that all of my childhood family. My mother passed at 46, my father at 51, my maternal grandfather at 38, and my grandmother never made 70. I have always lived with the reality that life is precious.   

Over the most recent years I have lived experiences I only dreamed; activism, glamorous balls, awards, board-of-directors participations, graduation speeches, friends, family and tons of fun. Many stories shared on this blog as a person I call Rhonda. My life and dream expectations have been exceeded. The proverbial glass runs over. 

Am I living a true transgender authentic life? No, by some standards. However, it is authentic for me and this is what is most important. You only have yourself to answer to in the end with, hopefully, no regrets.  

So where am I going with this? What does this mean for the new year 2023 and my 75th year? I’m reminded of a quote from the ultimate "Escape" movie; The Shawshank Redemption:

You can either get busy living or get busy dying.

We have 86,400* seconds each day. It is our choice what we do with them. Watch this to fully appreciate the value of the 86,400 seconds you have.  It is your choice to just keep living the life that just gets you by. Or, is your choice to finally break out (ESCAPE) and take those chances that you’ve always dreamed about. 

Remember, you can never get more time. Use this time you have now to take control of your life. It won’t be easy, but nothing good ever comes easy. And don't forget, Andy had to swim through a lot of shit to finally ESCAPE.   

You have 86,400 seconds tomorrow. 

*Each hour has 60 minutes, and each minute has 60 seconds—so 24 hours x 60 minutes per hour x 60 seconds per minute = 86,400 seconds in one day.