The Sacrifice (Giving) Formula

Last year, a friend of mine came to town and we had dinner at the Westfield Shopping Center downtown, the high-end food court. After dinner, I told my friend that she does not need to clear the table because someone will come and pick them up. She said she wanted to make the person feel that someone cares about her. I said, ¡§That is very nice, have you cared about yourself or give yourself something every day?¡¨ She thought about it for 5 minutes and said, ¡§No. She does not have the time because she has to take care of her four children.¡¨

I told the same story to my mother and she said, ¡§Ohh¡KYesss. I gave everything to my children (me and my sisters) and my husband. I sacrificed my whole life for all of you.¡¨ I said, ¡§Oh, that is very nice. But what do you give when your glass is empty?¡¨

The act of sacrificing make them feel that they have value and they are worth something to the people they sacrifice to. They can also tell people that they have sacrificed 100% (everything) to their family. If they have given themselves 5%, then, they only sacrifice 95%. Of course, one cannot tell people that.

Both my friend and my mother do not feel that they have the value to receive anything for themselves. What they do not understand is that when the glass is empty, there is nothing to give. This holds true for people who sacrifice for their career, their boss, their husband, etc. What have you given to yourself? Have you given the time and effort to stay healthy and to be in touch with yourself?