Sacrifice

Oftimes we look at the word sacrifice and simply cringe.  To some, sacrifice is interpreted as, want I want is less important than what you want.  Others see it as compromising who you are because you are putting your wishes and desires on hold for someone or something else.  Both of those interpretations of sacrifice have a very negative connotation and I would cringe too, if that were how I viewed it.

I would like to posit, however, that sacrifice can be a liberating, positive experience and principle for your life.  There is a definition of sacrifice that I’d like to share with you. Sacrifice is to forfeit (one thing) for another thing considered to be of greater value. 

Let’s give some examples.

•  I forfeit gorging on certain foods, because having good cholesterol and blood pressure readings is of more value to me, in the long run; than tasting that delicious chocolate cake (cookies, pies, etc…), in the short term.
•  I sacrifice sleep, by waking up an hour early to work out, because exercising and good health is more important than lying under the comforter for an extra hour.
•  I sacrifice my time to plan a family meal in the crock pot, because I realize that if I don’t we are going to eat fast food everyday, which is not good for any of us.
•  I sacrifice the furthering of my career, at the moment, because my children need a little more support academically and at home.
•  I sacrifice running to the mall to get the latest fashions and/or shoes, because I can save that money for a rainy day fund or savings. (I can still be a DIVA and look good without the latest or most expensive things.  I might have to give Ross stores a look and leave Neiman Marcus for another season.)
•  I sacrifice the idea that I have to argue with my spouse, because I realize that peace in the home has more value than proving a point.

So sacrifice is not a negative thing, but if done for the right reasons, it can be a rewarding experience.  Only you can determine how and what you are willing to sacrifice.  Don’t make it a negative experience by looking at it through a vacuum.  Learn to take a step back and look at the whole picture.  I’m sure the big picture and “payoff” looks much brighter and is more sustainable than any type of instant gratification.

It took me nearly a year of exercising and changing my eating habits to go from a size 18W to a regular size 16.  In fact, it is so gratifying that I have enrolled in boot camp to help tone my body, as I continue to lose weight.  Sacrifice! 

Peace in the home, well-rounded children and a healthy lifestyle are all of greater value to me than the alternatives.  Sacrifice is a process that might take weeks, months or years before you recognize the “payoff”; but I guarantee you that the “payoff” will come. 

I encourage you to get it in your mind, body and spirit that sacrifice is a positive principle to live by.  Once you recognize it in your soul, allow your feet to hit the pavement and “walk it out”.