The Sacrifices We Make Aren't Really Sacrifices at All

I have been reflecting a lot about sacrifice of late. We all make sacrifices, though we might not always call them that. We allow a car to merge ahead of us on the highway, we are sacrificing our spot in the line of traffic to help someone out. We need a new driveway so we might sacrifice some of our savings or a planned holiday to pay for it. A lot of the sacrifices we make are just day to day decisions, conscious effort to sacrifice a life we don't want to live for one that we do.

As a stay-at-home mom of three goofballs people could justifiably say that I sacrifice a lot to be home with them. I sacrifice a second income, which would definitely come in handy as we try to pay off the mortgage and do home repairs. Trips to Home Hardware for supplies sure add up. I sacrifice my clothes, they are never pristine for long. They are a snot rag, a paper towel, and who knows what else. I sacrifice my privacy. The bathroom is no longer a sacred place. Why they need to come in when the door is clearly closed is a mystery that seems to be beyond me. I sacrifice my sanity. Hearing my 16 month old constantly say Momma, over and over and over and over and over again. Gak! Or when the older ones come and start complaining, or whining or asking for things or whatever. I seriously start thinking, perhaps a paying job wouldn't be so bad. And I sacrificed my body to bring them into the world. Stretchmarks from here to there and everywhere. I don't know where the stretch marks came from, as I never get that big ,but geez Louise, my career aspirations of being a bikini model is out, unless there is quite a lot of airbrushing ;) There are other things that we sacrifice, I could probably be here all day.

But, when all is said and done, I wouldn't have it any other way. I get to see the mischief they get into. I get to see them build towers and habitats for their animals. I get to see them have a crazy dance party. I get to hug them when they are sad and be their confidant. There are somethings that when we think of the checklist of the world that we are for sure giving up, but when you think about love and family and things that really matter, the sacrifices don't really matter. We would and still do keep doing the same sacrifices over.

habitat that my oldest made

a dance performance for their dolls

a tall tower for their turtle

By being a one income family, it allows us to prioritize what is important to us, especially where our dollars go, and what family activities we should do. Are our priorities always what they should be? Heck No! We make lots of mistakes, but we are learning along the way and doing our best. It is also showing our kids that we can't always get what we want exactly when we want it. We have to work and save and plan for things. Are we perfect teachers? Nope! But, we are trying. We are trying to teach them the value of a dollar, what are needs and what are wants and that we have to cherish what we have already instead of going out and consuming more.

Sacrifice does not need to be a hardship. If we think about it. Sacrifice is an opportunity to live a life that will make us feel happy and fulfilled. That could be going against the norm and being less driven by consumption, or it could be going the other way and embracing consumerism and instead forgoing the simple pleasures in life. Sacrifice is about choice, about choosing how you want to live and then tailoring yourself and your surroundings to fit that ideal. If you want to get out of debt and stay out of debt, spending and mindless shopping needs to be sacrificed. If you want to have a garden, a nicely manicured part of your lawn will need to be sacrificed. If you want to spend time with your children as they grow up, a career may have to be sacrificed.

There is no one size fits all when it comes to sacrifice. It also doesn't mean you have to choose between a bad and a good thing. It could be choosing between a good and a better or best thing. So, think about what is important to the way you live, whether it be your own morals, ethics, or religious beliefs and say to yourself "what are the best things I should be doing to achieve the ideal?" Then strive to do them. As we do this we will realize that the actions, habits, or ways of life we are shedding is a freeing experience and that the sacrifice really isn't a sacrifice at all. It is bliss.

What are some of the ways that you sacrifice to live how you do? Do you consider them a hardship or do you find them to bring joy?