Life is about opportunity costs. Sometimes, you can’t have your cake and eat it. Decision-making entails sacrifice. You have to pick one over another. It may be as simple as a choice of work over play or as critical as in life-and-death situations.
The recent Sichuan earthquake showed us what this really involves. A mother dies shielding her child from the falling debris. A teacher sacrifices her life to ensure the safety of her students. Rescue workers risking danger to search for survivors.
But it doesn’t always have to be life-changing. It can be something small. It can be in your everyday life. In fact, you’re making a sacrifice now by taking the time to read this entry. In the end, it’s not the payoff that matters. What makes it worthwhile is the people that you’re doing it for.