DO YOU SACRIFICE IN LOVE? Have you been in love before? Do you know what it means to love? How much are you willing to sacrifice for love? Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you love is by far the truest type of love. Close relationships require sacrifice. In fact, many people include sacrificing in the very definition of what it means to truly love another person—and indeed, research has shown that couples are happier and more likely to remain in their relationships if the partners are willing to sacrifice for each other. Sometimes that sacrifice can be life-changing, such as deciding to move to a different state in order to be with your partner; other times it might be something small and seemingly mundane, such as seeing an action movie instead of the comedy you would have chosen. To sacrifice is to give up something precious in order to gain or maintain something, such as a valuable relationship or some other worthy cause. Thus, The term sacrifice is often used in religious contexts referring to the act of offering something precious to a deity, Sacrifice entails actual deeds and losses. One cannot sacrifice in ones mind what one does not have in reality. When something is a bit more difficult to give up, it’s a sacrifice. A sacrifice is when you give up something that is meaningful or important to you for something else that is more meaningful and important to you. If there’s not a balance of give and take, and the relationship is all one-sided, it’s difficult to find mutual respect. When one person is giving up almost everything and the other person is not giving up much at all, it goes beyond sacrifice. This is usually because the person giving up everything has low self-worth or self-esteem. This situation is not about relationship sacrifices, but one person taking advantage, selfishly, of another person. The more you give up without getting something worthwhile back, the more you begin to resent yourself, your lover and the relationship in general. Sacrifice also raises questions of power: If you are happy to sacrifice early in the relationship and your partner isn’t reciprocating, you may find yourself in a situation where you are the one who is always expected to give up and give in. Over time this imbalanced pattern of sacrifice may lead to an imbalance of power in your relationship—a recipe for long-term unhappiness and resentment. Finally, it is important to know if your partner disagrees with you and does not see your actions as a sacrifice. Has your partner expressed thanks for your willingness to sacrifice? Research I’ve done suggests expressing gratitude shows recognition of a sacrifice. If you haven’t received a “thank you,” your partner may be taking you for granted. Although sacrificing to make a partner happy can be a good thing, it may be trouble if you find yourself constantly sacrificing out of a desire to be the “good” partner and satisfy your partner at the cost of your own happiness. People who consistently prioritise other’s needs above their own—a situation known as “unmitigated communion”—can pay a cost in self-esteem and mental health over the long run. Sacrifice is a hallmark of a close relationship, but it should not lead to neglecting your own needs. Do have a great week and wonderful day ahead
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 07:12:17 +0000
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