Sacrifices

It’s 5:30 and I’m getting dressed in the dark... trying not to wake Kylee up. I just bought new socks, but I can't find them anywhere. Where do all the socks in the world go to disappear? Is there a black hole somewhere? Anyway, I was able to finish my homework last night and get in bed before midnight! Major accomplishment. I'm feeling proud of myself, but self-doubt finds its way in. It feels like I’m never going to graduate or lose those last few pregnancy pounds. All this hard work has to pay off, right? But when? Sometimes I feel like I’m just spinning my wheels in place. I’m thinking to myself, I deserve a medal and it better be sparkly!

In reality, there are hardly any medals to be given out. Yes, you can get certificates and degrees. There are Mother’s Day gifts and Father’s Day gifts. You can get a raise or employee of the month. Maybe even a pizza party on a Friday. But do these things truly equate to all the blood, sweat, and tears that it took to obtain them? This past Mother’s Day all I wanted was a nap! I didn’t want a trophy or a new handbag. Quality time and physical touch are my favorite love languages. I’m not saying the other love languages are bad or wrong, by the way. However, for me, trophies and purses collect dust.

Nevertheless, you can have what you want in life and it can be worth it. I think what distinguishes someone who excels from someone who only accomplishes goals, is that they know their “why.” Why do you want to reach this certain goal? Why are you breaking your back to make this happen? Knowing your “why” justifies the sacrifices you will have to make. Because, if you thought you wouldn’t have to make any sacrifices to excel, then you’re wrong my friend. Not only will you be faced with sacrifices, you have to be willing to take them on.

How bad do you want it? It’s easy to say you want something, but are you taking the steps to make it happen? Are you going the extra mile? Heavy is the crown. Your hard work will go unnoticed some days. You will be too tired. You will cry in the shower. But life won’t always be hard. You will be rewarded. You won’t always have tribulations. Your tenacity and resilience won't always be tested. But you are the only one who can make your dreams happen and it will take sacrifice.