Weekly ideas to stimulate reflection, inspire new possibilities and encourage new ways of doing and being.
1. Test the water
This week’s word is: Sacrifice
Sacrifice is the act of giving up something valuable or important, often for the sake of someone or something else considered to be of greater value or importance. It involves relinquishing or surrendering something that is cherished, whether it be material possessions, personal desires, comfort, time, or even one's own life, in order to achieve a greater good, fulfill a duty, uphold a principle, or meet a higher purpose.
The word "sacrifice" originates from the Latin word "sacrificium" which is a combination of "sacer" (sacred) and "facere" (to make or do), meaning "to make sacred".
What is your definition of sacrifice and how do you relate to it? Discuss the question here.
2. Experience the initial wave
To broaden your perspective, take a few minutes to read the following thoughts and notice what comes up for you.
I.
"Sacrifice is a verb, not a noun; it is active. You sacrifice for what you believe." Clarissa Pinkola Estes
II.
"The important thing is this: to be able, at any moment, to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." Charles Dubois
III.
It's important to recognize that self-sacrifice, while often celebrated as a virtue and a noble act, should be approached thoughtfully and balanced with self-care and consideration for one's own needs and aspirations. Healthy sacrifice involves conscious choice, clear boundaries, and a genuine assessment of its impact on oneself and others involved. Spiritual teacher Teal Swan highlights that, at times, self-sacrifice can be considered as the most self-centered thing in the world: “Self-sacrifice can be used as an alibi in order to avoid taking responsibility for your life choices. When this happens, you abandon your own personal compass for the sake of closeness with people; whenever remaining close to them and meeting their needs would cause you to go in a different direction than your personal north star."
3. Dive deep
To gain a deeper understanding and spark new discoveries, this week I invite you to reflect on the following questions:
What typically motivates you to make sacrifices for others or for causes?
What do you consider worthy of sacrifice, and why?
What have been some significant sacrifices you've made in the past, and what did you learn from them?
Have there been sacrifices you regret making, and why?
4. Ride your radiant wave
In the Western world, self-sacrifice has long been upheld as an ethical virtue. Traditionally, it's seen as acting selflessly in service and love for others, contrasting with notions of self-love. This week I invite you to challenge this dichotomy and embrace the idea that loving and caring for others can coexist with prioritizing and loving oneself.
This perspective allows individuals to engage and help others without sacrificing personal goals and dreams. It emphasizes maintaining healthy boundaries, understanding societal interconnectedness, and making deliberate choices that benefit both self and others. Helping others, under this framework, becomes a matter of focus and creation rather than sacrifice.
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