Friday, November 4, 2011

The Right to Expression....Spiritual Practices

Sacrifice is a willful action where a person chooses to deny themself something.
The choice is driven by a need or a desire.
Sacrifice is hard, so that if one makes this choice,
declaring it as their right gives it much more power and possibility.

As with all Rights for a Right-full Life,
the action of sacrifice provides a benefit
to the life of the person who sacrifices and,
maybe, to those people close to them.
Sacrificial actions do not harm self or other beings.
Some examples of sacrifice may be the renunciation of
 a certain food, a chemical, a behavior, or a relationship.
For example, monk may take a vow of silence in order to achieve a state of contemplation.
Something is given up, but a better life awaits.


I declare the Right to Sacrifice.

What have you sacrificed, or what would like to sacrifice?

This right is supported by many rights:
the Right to Ethical and Voluntary Choice, the Right to Accountability,
the Right to Happiness, the Right to Inner Tranquillity,
the Right to Respect, and the Right to Body Care.


Thanks to commenters:  MLV, LZ, DH63.

55 comments:

Anonymous said...

I believe in sacrifice but would not categorize it as a right but a choice. We choose to sacrifice ourselves for what we believe. Sacrifice can be to improve ourselves or others. I will sacrifice myself for my children. I will do anything within my power to educate them with an education not merely dependent on schools. I will sacrifice all my free time to enrich them in all life has for them. My mother sacrificed herself every day of her life so that we could have more than she did growing up. She raised 3 children without external support from family. I respect my mother for the sacrifices she made of working so hard for us. Growing up I always questioned her choices, as a mother now, I realize it was not a choice. It was a moral obligation. It was something beyond a sacrifice. YYD

Anonymous said...

I have sacrificed my time and 23 years for my child to have the opportunities she now has. She grew up and is independent.
In return it was not a sacrifice at all, it was a journey with no equal. A true sacrifice always begets a good outcome because it is the right thing to do.
ctk

Anonymous said...

I have sacrificed a social life with friends and family to not only go to school but to train at my Taekwondo academy; to be national champions with my team. We succeeded two years in a row, coming home with the title and first place. I continue to sacrifice the desire to relax and socialize with other people so i can teach students the art of Taekwondo, as well as train and better myself as a person. The desires are only minor setbacks, seeing my students succeed and become better are my rewards.

-YODA

Anonymous said...

I believe in the right to sacrifice. I think most people will give up something at some point in their lives. It would be hard not to. When you love someone, you find yourself surrendering to that person you care for. We sacrifice for others as well as for ourselves in order to have a better life. Individuals will show restraint in consuming unhealthy foods in order to stay in good physical shape. Parents and family members labor long and hard hours in order to insure a better life. Sacrifice is a part of our daily life.DS

Anonymous said...

Ignorance, laziness, and smoking are three things that I would LOVE to sacrifice. Seeing as a sacrifice is a willful action, actually taking action is one of the hardest. People struggle when it comes to sacrificing something so common to them. For example, getting rid of a habit is not so simple. But when people become more aware and realize that with this change, their lives can improve greatly, it comes with more ease. I believe in the right to sacrifice. Everyone has a better life that waits them.
-PCR.

Anonymous said...

It is very strange to list sacrifice as a right. Normally a right is something that is expressed outwardly that others must respect but sacrifice is something internal. It is personal choice that cannot be controlled by others. Logistically, how can you stipulate that people do not sacrifice? I have sacrificed my whole for my children, whom I love dearly. I have always done everything in my power to do the best by them because I love them so very much. -GLT

Anonymous said...

I also agree that sacrifice isn't a right but an individual choice. When making this choice an individual is putting aside immediate happiness in hopes that one day their hard work and dedication be rewarded. These rewards can be a more financially stable life, an eternal afterlife, or maybe just a longer life in general. I have sacrificed a life of immediate, day-to-day, short lived happiness in hopes that one day I’ll be able to find true happiness (though I’m not sure what true happiness really is). Perhaps true happiness has come and gone and I’ve missed the train. I’m sure I’ll catch the next one.

R.A.T. Jr.

Anonymous said...

I respect the right to sacrifice. For many years I have felt like I gave up my childhood to help my mother raise my brother and sister. To me that is the one most important thing I could have given up for them. In order to help my siblings I needed to mature, and I couldn't do that if I still acted like a little girl. And although I would have liked some more time to be a kid. I can't say I regret ever making that choice. I'm better for it and if I had the chance to go back I'd probably do everything the same way. I'd sacrifice anything for my brother and sister.
M.D.L.

Anonymous said...

I do believe in the right to sacrifice. I agree that a person should be able to better their lives by sacrificing smoking or drinking which they enjoy but if sacrificed will give them a better life.

C.munoz

Anonymous said...

I believe in The Right to Sacrifice.My opinion is that if the sacrifice will help you or your loved ones why not.Anything sacrifice that will impact your life in a positive way i will always support,I believe everyone should have a chance to better themselves if they believe they need it.Jp

Anonymous said...

I believe in The Right to Sacrifice.My opinion is that if the sacrifice will help you or your loved ones why not.Any sacrifice that will impact your life in a positive way i will always support,I believe everyone should have a chance to better themselves if they believe they need and feel they need it.Jp

Anonymous said...

Sacrifice is best when it comes from choice but there is also sacrifice as a need. Sometimes many people must sacrifice things that other might not in order to achieve a goal. Because there are so many different cultures, religion, and traditions, everyone has different advantages and disadvantages so sacrifice can be different for everyone.
-LZ

Anonymous said...

Sacrifices are made by choices, should not be a right. A sacrifice is a personal decision one makes to help, to better, or simply to give. I cannot say I have truly made sacrifices. Perhaps, my studies might count as one, or helping my sister with her kids; even thou it would never come as close as to having my children. I know the day I become a mom I will give them everything and my everything to my children. I will give them love, the best education, upbringing, ect… And truthfully, I would not see it as a chore or a headache; I would do it with love and pleasure because they are and will be my life.
KP

muaath alheji said...

I agree with the right to sacrifice. As a muslim, I believe on what profit Mohammed said " Love for your brother what you love for yourself." That means sacrificing your food, money, shelter, and your time for mankind. Sometimes I had to sacrifice sleep in order to succeed. Sacrifice always comes as a benefit. People should not be afraid of sacrifice things for their own benefits.
M.A. (Muaath Alheji)

Anonymous said...

I also agree that sacrifice isn't a right but an individual choice. I have sacrificed my social life with friends and family to go to school. In addition I had to sacrifice my sleep by taking Saturday classes’ and virtual college to complete my AA in pre-law,as well had to sacrifice my gym time because I am going to nursing school Monday thru Friday from 6-10pm .In addition I work Monday thru Friday as a part time teller. I had to sacrifice my weekends to study and complete my homework. When making this choice of putting aside immediate happiness I hope that one day my hard work and dedication be rewarded.As you could see Life is all about sacrifice in order to succeed!
Y.A

Anonymous said...

I do not believe in the right to sacrifice because more than a right, I see as a personal choice. It is oneself who has the will to give up.

Anonymous said...

Cyn.U

Anonymous said...

Sacrifice is something that I think is important in life. Personally I have done a few sacrifices in order to obtain something better in the future. We all should once in our life sacrifice something. Cd884

Anonymous said...

Sacrifice, depending on how you use the term can become a right. To Sacrifice animals or humans for instance may require a right to do so or else you in deep manure. To sacrifice yourself, things or lifestyle to achieve a goal or to acquire something is not a right. That word can be a double edge sword, it just depends on how you slice it and dice it!

Chuck F.

Anonymous said...

The "right" is that we have the choice to make a sacrifice. Some people don't have anything to sacrifice. Sometimes just living day to day, hand to mouth is all there is.
Raising my child was the first "sacrifice". My ongoing sacrifice will be to dedicate my extra efforts and time to causes that allow me to help those who have far greater needs than I. I will go back to Haiti in January for a third month long mission serving that community.Is that Charity? Or Sacrifice? Or both?
CTK

Anonymous said...

sacrifice is a noble act, its a sign of bravery and kindness. The word sacrifice, has been misused several times for the wrong cause, but even that needs to be respected, just as it needs to be punished. If one can sacrifice their time and effort for the greater good, instead of their own selfish needs, it could do the world a lot of good.
AG

Anonymous said...

I can think of many times that I have willingly sacrificed something. For example, I chose not to over spend in order to give my son a good Christmas or not going out late because I had to work the next morning. Those are examples of voluntary sacrifice. However, there are some examples when people are forced to sacrifice. Some may have to go without food in order for their children to eat or not pay electricity in order to have water. Those examples do not support the Right to Sacrifice since the person is not actually chosing to do so.
~TP~

Anonymous said...

I don't believe that sacrifice should ba a right, but a choice. I think the most unselfish act, a woman can committ is having a child. I sacrifice so much for my daughter but, at the end of the day i dont look at it as a sacrfrice. Its my responsibility to make her life as comfortable as possible. -J.D.

Anonymous said...

I believe sacrifice is a right. As a father,i make sacrifice for my kids to be able to give them a better life..I'm expected to do that for them. Someone may see as a choice ,but it's my duty. I choose to have kids,i must make sacrifices for them. I want to continue my education ,i have to make the sacrifices to pass all my classes. It is what help us accomplish our goal, for the better of our family and our life.Cjj

Anonymous said...

Sacrifice is a self healing right. It also heals those close to you if the sacrifice involves them. I have learned that sacrifice is a key ingredient to life. When I was younger this word was a negative gesture and had I had to sacrifice anything or anyone, my life was just about over. But now as I have lived a little bit more and learned a lot more, I see that sacrifice is very important. This is something I will teach my children from the very start. JENS

Anonymous said...

As you said in the first sentence, "...a person CHOOSES ...." sacrifice is a choice. A person can choose to give something up but it is not mandatory, nor will they be seen as wrong if they don't do something. But i would also say it is a right because people have the right to give something up or do something for themselves or for another individual. So I would declare the right to sacrifice.

VA

Anonymous said...

I would agree with the right to sacrifice if it excludes the killing of any living thing. The right to sacrifice is like the right to choice. In order to make a sacrifice one has to choose something realistic that they want, and what they are willing to give up getting it. This is what in my opinion I call motivation, because no matter what are the obstacles you are willing to overcome them in order to be successful in your choice, although sometimes this may not be possible. Sacrifice can be healthy or unhealthy for the body, because you feel self fulfillment if the outcome is positive or failure if it is negative. RR

Anonymous said...

Many people have sacrificed something in order for hopes to something better, whatever that may be in the end, the fulfillment of making that sacrifice is an action that one can never forget. In my personal experience my parent's sacrificed everything they had in their country in order for their children to have a better future and thanks to that sacrifice I am in a free country today. NOBRA

Anonymous said...

Many people have sacrificed something in order for hopes to something better, whatever that may be in the end, the fulfillment of making that sacrifice is an action that one can never forget. In my personal experience my parent's sacrificed everything they had in their country in order for their children to have a better future and thanks to that sacrifice I am in a free country today. NOBRA

Anonymous said...

People sacrifice for their own good like a certain food to lose weight or a relationship because it is damaging. Sometimes, people sacrifice something for the benefit of another being, like their children. People sacrifice eating that day, so their children will be able to eat. When someone sacrifices something for another being it is not for their benefit but for the benefit of the other person. GIM

Anonymous said...

Everybody sacrifices in different ways. Parents sacrifice by themselves by taking away from themselves to give to their children. For example, me as a parent I gave up my life in the military in order to be with my children and raise them. I chose to leave the military because I believe that our kids need us every day of their lives and in the military that is impossible. This right is more a choice than a right. CMP

Anonymous said...

Sacrifaces, are we get us to the goals in life, that we are striving for. We want a better education, car, life and we make sacrifaces in life to achieve those goals. The right to sacriface, is what allows us to be able to do and achieve what we want in life. Robert M. Pino

Anonymous said...

I believe in sacrifice, one makes personal sacrifices everyday for family, work and other things. I know my parents sacrificed many things even their happiness to provide for us when I was growing up. I have also made the same choice in my personal life to sacrifice career goals for my family and I will continue to do so as long as they are happy. The one thing I will not be able to sacrifice for anything else is my wife and my daughter though. At this point in my life I understand my parents more than ever and I empathize with them for what they did for us.

HM

Anonymous said...

I believe in the right to sacrifice. I will sacrifice anything for my daughter, grandson, mother and immediate family and not necessarily in the order listed. There are many ways of sacrificing. Recently, I sacrificed my pleasure in smoking cigarettes; this is more related to choice than it is to sacrifice. Some sacrifice can be harmful. For example, you are sick in the hospital and in pain; but instead of staying in the hospital and allowing the doctors to help you; you are willing to sacrifice your health to get back to work. Go figure........

Anonymous said...

I believe in the right to sacrifice. I will sacrifice anything for my daughter, grandson, mother and immediate family and not necessarily in the order listed. There are many ways of sacrificing. Recently, I sacrificed my pleasure in smoking cigarettes; this is more related to choice than it is to sacrifice. Some sacrifice can be harmful. For example, you are sick in the hospital and in pain; but instead of staying in the hospital and allowing the doctors to help you; you are willing to sacrifice your health to get back to work. Go figure........RhW

Anonymous said...

Sacrifice is not a right. It is a personal choice. Life is full of sacrifices. As a child we sacrifice play time to do homework. As a teenager we sacrifice party time to study for a midterm exam. As a young adult we sacrifice sleeping time to take care of our newborn babies. As a mature adult we sacrifice our time to socialize to take care of our elderly parents. As senior citizens we sacrifice our free time again to take care of our grandchildren. And we do this with great pleasure because it was our choice!
Torpedo179

Anonymous said...

I believe in the right to sacrifice, I totally feel that if you give up on something it will be worth it, I don’t like to bring religion into this, but they say when you fast it usually means that you are giving up on something where it’s food or material things, usually it means you are asking god to bless with you something you want. I totally feel you should sacrifice things in life, material things won’t always make you happy and we should be thank you for the things we have. AFF

Anonymous said...

Any long-term relationship requires some sacrifice in order to keep the friendship alive. This summer I made a commitment to my wife to be vegetarian. Over the course of six weeks I realized how much I was willing to give up. Through that minor struggle I found a satisfaction in knowing what length I would go for my spouse. JS

Anonymous said...

Although I do not think the act of sacrifice is not a right but an individual choice...as CTK said... The "right" is that we have the choice to make a sacrifice. I make sacrifices daily whether it is sacrificing two hours of my free time to go to the gym or not going out at night to study. I sacrificed smoking a year ago to better my health and I am so glad that I did. I believe that everyone has the right to make the choice if they want to sacrifice something or not. -KKP

Anonymous said...

I don't see it as a right, but I do believe that if people make sacrifices they may appreciate something a little more. It can also be in a negative way, but I see it more as a positive. Sacrifice T.V to help sibblings with home work, sacrifice your life for one of your loved ones, sacrifice junk food to be healthy, etc.-NR

Anonymous said...

As some of the comments mentioned before me, I would not consider sacrifice as a right but more of a choice. I think it is corageous to sacrifice something for a positive outcome. My parents have sacificed so many opportunities in their lives for their children and I find it very admirable. Not everyone has the fortitude to give up something they treasure for a good cause.
-A.Q-

Anonymous said...

I would like to sacrifice myself for my parents. They have been amazing with me and my four sisters for years and they deserve even more of what we have gotten from them. They have given up their country, their family, their culture and even their careers in order to give us a better life. I wish I could give everything they gave up back, just to see them happy and let them live all their years to come without any preoccupations. ME

Anonymous said...

For me, the word “sacrifice” has a negative connotation. Regardless of the outcome, I associate it with loss, martyrdom, the giving up of a possession or a right as a result of not having an alternative choice. On the other hand, to willingly and consciously give freely to help another individual, promote a good cause, or improve one’s health, regardless of what one may be required to give up, brings forth feelings of joyful emotions. While I support and respect an individual’s right to sacrifice, I would certainly explore other options to achieve the same results. VMR

Anonymous said...

I think we have all sacrificed something for another in our lives, but I think we do it for something that will in the end bring us more pleasure than what we have sacrificed. For example, those that have sacrificed for their children and family, their career, etc., are doing so because in the end they find more value in that. For example, I don't particularly enjoy going to school or the amount of time it takes away from enjoyable things, but I do believe in the end, once I get the degree I want, I will be able to enjoy my life much more than I could at this moment. Cbereng

Anonymous said...

Sacrificing something can be what makes our lives change, maybe not drastically but when a person chooses to act on sacrifice they are choosing to change something in their lives. The reason for sacrifice can be religious or it can be for the greater good. Sometimes such a thing as waking up earlier than usual is a sacrifice, the intention of sacrificing a few more minutes of sleep will actually lead to something better in life, such as education. Sacrifice is a choice each one of us chooses to make, and we hope that by sacrificing something we love we can gain something greater back.

-DBM

Anonymous said...

To sacrifice anything in this world it takes compassion and love. I believe in that everyone has the right to make a choice. As long as I have lived on this earth for 19 years, I've have seen many things. I believe with all my soul that in order for us to learn and appreciate life we must sacrifice certain decisions made in life. Sacrifice is thinking of others before thinking of your self. No sacrifice is too great when it comes to a mother’s child.

SB

Anonymous said...

I would sacrifice for my future children the same way my parents sacrificed for me. One sacrifice I admire is how my father changed shifts and would work 4:30 to midnight so that my sister and I wouldn’t have to be taken care of by strangers, also the fact that he despised his job as a correction officer but kept it because the hours were the most convenient for my sister and I.

CP

Anonymous said...

Sacrifice is a choice, that usually results in a benefit. For instance when I was in high school, I use to sacrifice my hanging out time, to study for a test or finish a project. In the end I got good grades. However I disagree with blogpost when it says "sacrificial actions do not harm self or other beings." what do you call it when a mother takes a bullet for her child?
-LizR

Anonymous said...

Sacrifice is a choice, not a right. We are all humans and we make choices that we believe individually will change the course of our life and the people in our lives. We choose to go to school, we choose to help our parents/children. We as people make choices to advance ourselves and/or our family members, so I do not think sacrifice is a right.
DH63

Anonymous said...

It's hard to decide if "The Right to Sacrifice" should be considered a right. On my perspective it depends on the situation, a person may opt to make sacrifices at some degree for someone or something, it's a personal choice; on the other hand, there are some people that make sacrifices because they don't have any other option, therefore to be able to make sacrifices is a personal choice.
*NG*

LXC said...

At some point or another, every one makes a sacrifice. Be it a small sacrifice, or a big one, it is inevitable that we do not face a point in our lives where we have to make that sacrifice. Sacrifice is not always a choice, but sometimes mandatory. I think that understanding the importance of sacrifice is crucial when faced with that decision. Contrary to what others say about sacrifice not being a right, sometimes we may want to sacrifice our careers, relationships, etc. There are always people judging us, and the right to sacrifice is important because we should be able to make that decision with out having to worry about others' judgment.

Anonymous said...

Sacrifice is an extremely important tool for humans. I especially recognize its use in politicks, mainly in the form of hunger strikes. This right can and is used to fight for other rights.

-DenisA

Anonymous said...

I should sacrifice drinking soda. I taste so good but is not beneficial to my health. In the catholic religion people give things up for their saints it’s called a promise. The promise is not to do something in exchange for something else. SG

Anonymous said...

Like said by other commenters the right to sacrifice is more of a choice rather a right. But as stated by the post by making it a right it is more motivating and accepting to officially make it a right. Whether sacrificing a meal for a smaller wasteline or for another persons hunger. From the begining of life Adam and Eve sacrificed eternal life for momentary satisfaction. Ultimately leading to life and death. In the end sacrifice leads to a greater inner satisfaction...mlv...

GT said...

To sacrifice something is not something that you should or should not be entitled to, it comes to us as a mere choice. A choice to seek, a choice to happiness, a choice to become something else or to stay the same. These sacrifices unconsciously become part of our daily lives, become part of our own character and we take them with us possibly until death. I for one sacrificed a city that might have been full of career opportunities, to come back to this one, for love. It has been 2 years since then, and I do not regret my decision, not for one second, and I know I never will.