Sacrifice: to suffer loss of, give up, renounce, injure, or destroy especially for an ideal, belief, or end
The definition above is the definition I'm thinking of as I consider sacrifice. The sacrifices I'm thinking about are nothing like the giant sacrifices people make to save lives and help others. Many of us know many stories about amazing people who sacrifice great amounts of time, connections, and even their lives for the greater good.
As I think of sacrifice today, I'm thinking about the much smaller sacrifices we make to better our own lives and the lives of others. It's never easy to give up time or resources, but sometimes it's the best thing you can do to promote betterment in your own life and the lives around you.
How and when do you decide to sacrifice? How do you sustain sacrifices you plan on?
I believe that this kind of sacrifice begins with solidifying a very strong image of what you are reaching for? For example, I recently conversed with a couple who told me of the sacrifices they are making to help their children succeed in life. As I heard them talk, I realized that the sacrifices they are making are not easy, but those sacrifices are very powerful when it comes to helping the people they love live good lives. I was positive and encouraging as they spoke because I know what they are doing is so positive.
As we think of our own lives, what vision do we hope for with respect to our own lives and the lives of those we love? What are we willing to give up in order to do better for ourselves and others? How do we sustain the strength, discipline, and encouragement that sacrifice demands. As I think of this, I can identify the following strength-ways and strategies:
- Clearly identify the vision you are working/sacrificing for--write it out with detail. You may want to share the vision with a close confident, but not too many. This is your vision.
- Outline the steps needed to arrive at that point in life.
- Anticipate the roadblocks ahead including people's negative attitudes, temptation to move away from your goals, and more.
- Create the kind of schedule and routine that makes your choices second nature.
- Establish check-in points where you consider the decisions you've made and revise as needed.
