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i tried obtaining the definition, of the word sacrifice, from the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary (R). the result was somewhat unsatisfactory and i decided to pen it in my own words instead.

sacrifice = act of selflessness (i.e. being the bigger person), the giver. hope this definition is clear.

i have come across many people, articles and what not, talking about sacrifices in life, relationships, principles and so forth. i sacrificed my spare time to take my wife out shopping. she sacrificed her life to save her only son from the burning wreckage. the list just goes on and on. i will focus on the relationship aspect of sacrifice today (surprise surprise). some people comment that they ‘give’ more in a relationship. they love more, they care more, they ’sacrifice’ more. in return, they sometimes take less or nothing at all. this can be painful and burdening to the person, who ’sacrifices’ more.

in my opinion, the word sacrifice is not supposed to be included along with the word, relationship. some of you maybe going “Oh my God! what rubbish”, right about now. well, here is my justification for my statement above. a relationship requires a lot of give and take. a lot of COMPROMISE (not sacrifice). if you give and expect the same measure back, then you are not being realistic. give because you love and give because you want to. not because you want something in return. you will end up hurting less, i can safely say. try changing your mindset from:

I sacrificed my time…. to something more positive like, I made time….you made a compromise, not a sacrifice. you did it for love of the other person. do you see the light bulb glowing brighter now?

i will use a little scenario, to further explain my point. Jack and Jill are in a relationship. one fine day, Jill is offered a scholarship to go abroad and study. Jack and Jill did not want to part, but it was in the best interest for both parties. after all, it was Jill’s dream to study abroad and hopefully secure a better future for herself, her family and the family she might start with Jack. usually we would think that Jack had to sacrifice and let Jill go right? and if we take a look at Jill, she has to leave everything she holds dear and familiar behind. so, she would also be sacrificing right? so in the end, they both sacrificed in the relationship for a greater cause/purpose. *bzzzzzzzzt* wrong…they both made a compromise in this situation. not a sacrifice.

i guess this is all my ramblings for now. hope the message has reached across and made you think about the word, sacrifice. till the next issue, hasta luego