Sacrifice

Most people don't understand the meaning of the word sacrifice. They think of it as something they have to give up, something that is taken away from them, something that they lose.It's why they don't want to eat right, exercise in a meaningful way, or take proper care of the other people in their lives.So they consume fast food, sit around on their couches, and take their small children to "R" rated movies. It's easier and it meets their needs.They simply don't want to give anything up.But the term "sacrifice" actually means "the surrender of something for the sake of something else." It's not deprivation for deprivation's sake. Sacrifice means giving up this in order to get that. It means letting go of one thing in order to have something else in your life.So, the next time you are struggling to make the right choice at mealtime, in the gym, or on a Saturday night when the bar is calling, remember that you have to give up your old ways in order to get your new life.And that, no matter how big and noble you think your effort is -- no matter how huge your sacrifice -- that somewhere there are folks making far bigger sacrifices than you and they're not complaining about it. They're not even talking about it. They're simply pulling on their boots and uniform and going to work for us all. They're called the U.S. military. And they deserve our thanks. They live the word sacrifice.So, in the delicate phrasing of a veteran I know, "Shut your piehole and do work."