Life is a battle, a marathon, and an odyssey that demands more than a single step or fleeting effort. “Once is not enough” isn’t just a phrase; it’s a mantra for those who refuse to settle, those who know that greatness is not a one-time act but the product of relentless pursuit. It’s a reminder that living fully means never being content with a single victory or a singular experience. Instead, life calls us to embrace its endless challenges, struggles, and triumphs.
To Live is to Fight
When contemplating the Latin phrase, Vivere Militare Est, I realized how closely tied it is to my philosophy of Once is not enough and on one rather meditative and introspective walk I found myself saying the following out loud. It wasn’t something forced or unnatural. It was as though the universe placed the words in my head for me to find.
Once is not enough.
One time is not enough
I'll rest when I'm dead
One day, one week, one month, one year, it's not enough
It's never enough
There is no end. There's only the journey
The end is death and I'm not dead yet.
The destination is death and I'm not there yet
Vivere Militare Est - To live is to fight
One Time Is Not Enough
True fulfillment comes not from achieving a single goal but from the continual effort to grow, learn, and push boundaries. One success does not define you, just as one failure does not defeat you. Each day is a new opportunity to prove to yourself that you’re capable of more—more resilience, more discipline, more heart. The journey is cumulative, and every effort builds on the last.
I’ll Rest When I’m Dead
Rest is necessary, but complacency is deadly. This mindset isn’t about forsaking health but about embracing the urgency of life. Time is finite, and every moment wasted is a moment that could have been spent forging yourself into something stronger, wiser, and better. This phrase is a battle cry for those who know that idleness is the enemy of progress.
It’s Never Enough
One day, one week, one month, one year—it’s never enough because there is always more to learn, more to give, and more to achieve. The human spirit thrives on challenge. Stagnation breeds dissatisfaction, but the pursuit of something greater keeps the fire within burning bright. “It’s never enough” isn’t a lament but a celebration of the infinite potential within each of us.
There Is No End—Only the Journey
The end is inevitable, but it’s not the point. The end is death, and until that day comes, there is only the journey. The path you walk is filled with lessons, trials, and triumphs that shape who you are. To focus on the destination is to miss the beauty of the climb. The richness of life lies in the striving, in the persistence to move forward even when the way is steep and uncertain.
Vivere Militare Est: To Live Is to Fight
To live is to fight. Life is a battlefield, and every day is a skirmish against fear, doubt, and adversity. This fight isn’t just external—it’s internal, waged in the depths of our hearts and minds. To fight is to affirm that life is worth living, that each struggle is meaningful, and that each victory, no matter how small, is a testament to your strength.
The Eternal Battle
Life isn’t about reaching a final destination but about finding meaning in the struggle itself. When you adopt the mindset that “once is not enough,” you unlock the power to endure, to thrive, and to embrace the challenges that make life worth living. The end may be death, but until then, we fight, we strive, and we persist.
So, as you move through life, remember: it’s not about finishing the race but about running it with purpose and passion. The journey is eternal, and as long as you’re still breathing, the battle is yours to fight.
Feature Image – Forged Steel Coin
