Incredible India Monthly Contest of April#2: Self-sacrifice!
How do you glance at the term "Self-sacrifice"? Describe.
For me, the definition of self-sacrifice is giving up something of myself, for example comfort, personal desires or benefit, consciously, for another person or some principle, not necessarily suffering or the experience itself but more about giving willingly. Such a sacrifice is usually associated with virtue, such as love, dedication, caring or duty.
A mother works hard to give their children better opportunities or a friend stays up to comfort you during hardship, at personal cost. Nonetheless, I think there has to be limit to self-sacrifice. Excessive sacrifice might be too burdensome and could create resentment to the parties. So in general, self-sacrifice is both honorable and admired behavior, yet with common sense.
Do you believe that self-sacrifice often helps to enhance relationships? Share your viewpoint!
However, I also find that self-sacrifice can be a way of enhancing the bond between couples and to be very effective if it is exercised in a healthy way.
The simplest things - sacrificing your desire on a day when you just need some peace or support and have to listen to your partner complain; making a sacrifice and giving in to something that your partner desires - help in building the trust and the emotional connect between partners.
However if it's a sacrifice on the part of one partner only, there's an imbalance that gets created. One feels used and the other starts to become dependent. The relationships work not because of the sacrifice that happens, but because of give and take, healthy compromise and respect.
Self-sacrifice often seeks recognition and respect in return. So I invite you to share your justification regarding this notion!.
The concept that sacrificing oneself is for attention/respect is a little tricky. For one, it should be selfless, which would mean not expecting anything in return. Self-sacrifice that has been solely for the sake of being acknowledged could transform from true selfless care into a subtle act of bargaining.
Yet, it is only natural to want some kind of approval. Being recognized could also increase emotional bond and authenticate the sacrifice for the sacrificed. It's an issue when it becomes the main purpose rather than an addition to true emotion. As far as I'm concerned, the sacrifice should be fueled by authenticity, not obligation and anticipation of approval which, although it would mend bond, should never be the cause.
Thanks for reading my post I'm inviting @pea07, @abdullahw2 and @mesola to participate.
