As part of a beautiful adventure I am getting in the next month, I was requested to explore some topics. The list goes with words like tenacity, strength, liberation… And then there is this one: sacrifice. Which we normally don’t see from a happy point of view. I know, I know that nothing important comes easy and then I could draw an obvious line between the concepts. Like liberation coming from a tough sacrifice.

But I was not convinced. I was indeed intrigued by the word sacrifice.

Then I let myself wonder with it, in a day that I felt particularly stuck, which is usually when good things come out.

And what I got was quite interesting.

Starting with the origin of the word: it comes from latin, combining the noun sacred (sacer) and the verb make/become (facere). Become sacred. Which makes sense since a sacrifice used to be something of value that we offered to a deity.

But what got me thinking was: why did we keep the meanest part, the pain, and forgot the magical part of making something sacred?

So here is my idea of what sacrifice truly means.

Remember that when, in our old tribes and civilizations, we did those rites, it was to maintain the order of the world (so the crops could grow, the rain could fall, the winds could blow). We bowed to the power of the gods, as they were the ultimate decision makers, but we knew that without our participation it would most likely go the other direction. They would be mad at us.

So, we never refused to take responsibility, but we ultimately surrendered.

Seriously, is there a more beautiful relationship with life?

Because here is the thing: you do have a north, you do have a direction. Even if you think you don’t, you know deep inside you are on a mission. Let’s assume you already own this. If you feel that you are lost or that the burden is heavier, don’t you settle for a mundane pain: make it sacred. Accept what is part of the journey with all your heart and, then, surrender.

Word of caution: don’t live a life of unnecessary pain just because. Remember that you are dancing with the gods here. You take part. Whatever you are living now, either you decide to change or you surrender. Whatever makes you feel lighter.

Word of caution #2: a sacrifice is also the laugh, the joy, the butterflies in the stomach. It is whatever makes part of your journey. It’s whatever you are living now, because this is what you can offer so you can get there.

In the light words of Daniele Laporte, “If it feels like a sacrifice, reconsider.” If you can’t make it sacred, it is definitely not worth it. But if you do, be grateful, you are on the right path.