Have you ever had something you really loved or enjoyed but knew it wasn’t good for you? After having this realization, what did you do about it? Did you let it overstay its welcome? Or did you make sure to cut it off for good?

This week we will be talking about making sacrifices. Why it’s important and what we can learn out of making those sacrifices.

As someone who likes to indulge in some of the sweeter things in life from time to time, I have decided to let go of sugary foods. At first, this came as a great sacrifice to me. No more lollipops, no more gummies, I was little perturbed. However, I knew that making this sacrifice will be for the greater good.

Why is this so important?

Well, for starters, it’s always good to sacrifice something because you often times will gain something in return. Even at moments where you think there is nothing to gain, the idea that your will power was strong enough to lose something at a cost of your own gratification says everything about your character.

Making sacrifices is how we become stronger. We can stand to gain and lose and gain again. Letting go of the things or people that once gave us joy but continue to hold us back can be for a greater good (usually your greater good). How can that be so bad?

Sometimes, you might even find some satisfaction in making those sacrifices. Why? Maybe because deep down, you know that those things, just aren’t doing you any favors. Or maybe it’s giving up something to prioritize a greater need instead.

Whatever the reason, taking sacrifices and sticking by them is how you stand in your own favor.

What can we learn from this?

We can learn that to change and do better, we have to become better. By doing so, we have to make sacrifices, and in turn those sacrifices will reward us with gains. Those gains could for example, be losing that sluggish feeling after eating take out. Or finishing that bachelor’s degree after giving up that other program you also wanted to do (it happens).

We learn that usually sacrifices will often propel us forward. By clearing out what we don’t need, to make room for the things we do. By prioritizing and being brave enough to lose out on the things you enjoy but aren’t healthy, you become disciplined in your decisions.

Just as I said in another blog post, it’s good to always do the hard thing. That includes sacrifices. To do them is to atone, whether that is for religious reasons, or to make amends for how you hurt yourself through your body (eating junk) or throughout your life in general (choosing the wrong path).

Sacrificing what you want for what you need is how we become better versions of ourselves.