I’ve been reflecting a lot on on sacrifice lately and how I can use the concept to improve myself.
I try to remember the example of a seed. From the outside, a seed has a very hard shell that can protect what’s inside from harsh weather, getting kicked around or stepped on, and even the passage of time. A seed can sit around for years and still sprout just as healthy and beautiful as ever when planted, all thanks to that protective shell.
What’s most impressive to me is that the seed must be destroyed to reach its full potential. Ouch! The same shell that did all those wonderful things must be torn apart. Otherwise, it would never fulfill its beautiful and fruitful purpose.
I like this analogy because it acknowledges the drastic and often scary aspects of sacrifice, while also showing that it’s worth it. Sacrifice can be about giving up something lower to achieve something higher. It’s important not to get caught up in the painful parts of sacrifice, but to see them as inextricably linked to the benefits that come in the end. Once I reach the other end, I’ll remember the uncomfortable stage, but it can really be dwarfed by the results.
I’m not going to stretch the analogy too far. I’ll leave it to your imaginations on how this can be applied to one’s professional and personal life.