Sacrifice Means Giving For Gain

Sacrifice is a word that most of us equate with giving something up. We think of it as a loss in our life. Maybe the first thing we need to do to move toward our hearts desires is to change the way we think about sacrifice.

In Economics 101 we learn about "opportunity cost". We can spend our resources whether money, time, love, thought, etc. on something but not on everything. Rather than thinking about sacrifice as giving up something, instead think of it as an investment. When we invest, we apply resources against that which will give back what we desire in greater quantity.

In my life I chose to invest my time, effort and energy to attain greater quantities of peace, joy, love and good health. These were the things that I wanted more of in my life. Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, poor diet, negative attitude were counter to attaining them. The focus of my energy on these habits was standing in the way of getting what I desired in my life. In fact, they were moving me directly in the opposite direction of my hearts desires. The question became, "How could I invest my time, effort and energy to obtain success in life or live on purpose?" Reading, exercise, drinking water, healthy balanced diet, meditation and stretching were new habits that would take me where I wanted to go.

Let's say that you lived in New York and there was an amazing opportunity for a dream career in New Jersey. You prepared for the interview and went to the train station to go give it your best shot. Upon reaching Grand Central Station you jumped on a train. The train, however, was headed to Long Island. You enjoyed the company of the passengers and the view out the window but you were unfortunately not headed to where the dream job interview was. No matter how long you stayed on that train, you wouldn't get to where you wanted to go. In order to get closer to your dream job, you must get off the Long Island train and board the train headed to New Jersey. You are not giving up the short term view and fun conversation, you are getting on the track to your higher goal.

With this in mind, the first obvious step is determining where you want to go (more on this in later blogs). Once you are focused on purpose, you must choose the habits or road to get your there. As George Harrison sang, "If you don't know where you're going any road will do." It is no sacrifice to do what it takes to get where you want to go. It is a wise investment that will give you what you want more of in life.