Ah yes.......always relish the chance to check out Webster....so here we go. Sacrifice: the act of giving up something or forgoing something valued, for the sake of something having a more pressing claim. In short....basically means giving up something you REALLY want, or think will bring you happiness, for something that far outweighs in value that something you think is so important. Honestly, I don't really hear that word much anymore, which is really alarming, because it implies that people have no idea what their priorities are in life, or what it means to actually wait for those good things in life to come to them, instead of struggling, straining, and pushing to get them. Sounds like another blog in the works on delayed gratification. I'll file that away.
Why or how do I know this? Because I learned the hard way by pushing to get what I thought would bring me peace and happiness, which in fact would ultimately land me in a pile of rubble. Did I learn.......absolutely....... did I lose anything....more than you can imagine.....in fact still paying, but my lessons were hard learned and lasted for many years. Is that necessary.....I don't think so. Do I realize now how I could have handled things differently? Very often. But the one thing that stands out for me, is that in my pushing, wanting, and not waiting, I was willing to sacrifice some really good stuff.......just to have it my way. And of course this is not me having reached perfection by any means....I'm just not where I was ok?
I suppose that means the things I did have in my life, I did not fully value or appreciate. Or even if I did, I saw my life as still lacking in some way, never taking time to be grateful for what was in front of me. So for me.....to continue to chase after that illusive butterfly.......I had to give up something. So my sacrifice was a bad thing......I lost. I gave up what was most precious to me, thinking that peace, happiness, joy, love...etc.....was out "there" somewhere. The loss was tragic.........no other word could describe it for me. A death.
I think the most important thing about sacrifices, is realizing that it has more to do with how it's going to affect other people, as opposed to you getting what you want. Now most of us don't really want to think about that, because we want what we want, when we want it, no matter how frivolous it might be. You work hard, put in long hours, wear yourself thin, and sometimes never gain any headway, so you figure you deserve.....always in a constant mode of deserve. Plus everyone else out there is spending and doing.......and you don't want to look poor or deprived. Heaven forbid.........
Ok....all this is totally understandable......however.....sorry...but I have to use that word when I have to use it...so get over it.........however........is there a person involved in your decision to get what you want? Will decisions have to be made down the road that you won't be happy about having to make because you weren't willing to make sacrifices back then? Now I fully realize this is heavy stuff to be pondered, contemplated and left some of you wiggling in your chairs......but it's because it IS important stuff.....and most often does and will involve people you love and cherish. Besides.....it's the new year.......a good time to incorporate some new and healthy behaviors that will not only enhance your life, but in the lives of those around you. So.........go ahead....BREATHE.......and get over it.....I'm not talking rocket science here.....no extraction involved.......well nothing that will involve the hospital, lets put it that way.
Now I'm talking "gut level" revelations here.....but isn't that what living life is all about? I don't know about you, but over the last year or so, I feel things viscerally, which I completely believe that when you feel things that deeply, it's time to pay attention to a decision you're getting ready to make......or your intent when facing a situation or someone you believe deserves the truth about something. I know...I know........gut level discussions require you to stop and BREATHE......so go ahead. If you don't realize by now that in order to gently navigate this world while you're here, you're gonna have to start to pay attention to your breathing.......then this is your wakeup call.
So........if you need to sacrifice something...what would it be? Is your want list worthy of the true cost? Is it going to turn around and bite you in the rear end at some point, at which time you will likely beat yourself up for not thinking more about who would be affected by your decision? If you let go of having to have this certain thing, no matter the importance at the time, are you likely to be sitting very quietly one day wondering........did I really need that? Did that support my original goals and plans for the future......or did it simply make those goals or plans harder to reach.......or altered them in a way that I would not be able to experience them the way I truly wanted to?
I think the best way to be at peace about making sacrifices, and let's face it.....they do have to be made from time to time....and it's ok......it's a good thing if you use wisdom and your intentions are good, and you are fully aware that others, those that you love WILL be affected. Take time to set priorities in life, and what you're willing to set aside for a later date, so that you can prepare yourself comfortably for that one thing in life you've waited SO long to have. After all.....most of those "things" that we want in life are simply that......things. They have no true meaning, most likely will not be missed in the long run, and for sure are not able to take the place of those things that God intended for us to have.
Does this mean you have to give up those things that you would like to have in this life? No....not at all. But everyone reading this knows what they can do without......you just don't want to think about it and heaven forbid start feeling guilty. Everyone knows what their checkbook looks like.....how much they spend and what they spend it on......as well as having hopes of what they want for their future. Just ask yourself the question now........do those two things jive? If they don't, then you'll wake up each morning with one thing on your mind.......did I need that, and did it support the really gut level important things that I want further down the road?
Now trust me...I realize.......some "stuff" is needed........simple as that. But we all know the difference in what is needed and what is wanted. If you have absolutely no peace of mind, can never wake up with a smile on your face, and never see that everyone and everything around you is a true blessing........then most likely getting "stuff" has gotten in your way.
Hmmmmm.....I guess I should have titled this......"Stuff"......what is it good for.......absolutely nothing!
