This is the time of year when we reflect on sacrifice – firstly it’s Easter. For Christians around the world, Good Friday is a day when they remember Jesus’ sacrificial death to reconcile the world with God.
For people of other faiths, it’s the end of a period of fasting, alms giving and prayer; all of which are sacrifices made.
At the end of the month, it will be ANZAC Day. This national day of remembrance of the lives lost in battle can be very personal for families who have lost a loved one in more recent conflicts. Additionally, our Defence Force personnel are often very aware of the sacrifices their families make while their husband/father/uncle/brother is away for extended periods of time.
I will leave it to you to decide if the cost of sacrificing time, food, and life is worth it. But, the thread between these things is that in these instances sacrifice often leads to a deeper faith, a stronger connection and freedom.
In terms of mental health, I’d say that freedom, peace, meaning, purpose and strong relationships cost us. They are hard-won rewards. In order to gain those things, burdens need to be put down, grudges need to be let go and time spent on activities that are not beneficial needs to be redirected to more worthy pursuits.
Not everyone is willing to pay the cost, though. Unfortunately, at times, we are our own worst enemy and we sabotage our personal growth because we are not prepared to do the hard work. Consistently choosing discomfort to facilitate growth is not easy.
When couples come to see me for counselling, they usually ask how long it will take for their relationship to get back on track. That’s a bit like asking me ‘How long is a piece of string?’ because it doesn’t depend on me – it depends on their willingness to learn new skills, to let things go and to build different lives.
Life is not all hard work though. As we make progress, we can be surprised by the joys and newfound freedom that comes our way. Seeing change is a motivator that means we are willing to continue to choose it.
Aren’t we a funny bunch!? I hope that the coming season of sacrifice and remembrance is meaningful for you.
