I talk with many parents, especially moms, who feel guilty if they take care of themselves.  Parents often feel guilty for just wishing to take time away from their family.

It seems as though parents who are super committed to their family and their children still feel guilty if they take a few days for themselves – even when there’s another parent or grandparents to care for them.

Many parents feel they should do even more for their children, even when they’re doing a LOT.  The idea of sacrifice comes up frequently.

Sacrifice, like crucifixion, is an ego concept that people often feel drawn to, but there’s no part of either that brings benefit to anyone.

None.  Nada.  Nothing.

Yes, there are times when we feel compelled to choose to forgo something that’s important to us because taking care of a loved one is MORE important to us- but that’s not a sacrifice.  It’s a choice.

We have a choice.

Sacrifice is a PERSPECTIVE.

When we feel we’re making a painful choice then it feels like a sacrifice.  But that doesn’t mean that it is.

“Pain is a wrong perspective.”  

A Course in Miracles 

Workbook, Lesson 190  

When we’re making a choice to give up something, because we feel we HAVE to, then there’s the sense of sacrifice.  But that’s not how this world REALLY works.  Sacrifice is unnecessary.

Let’s say you give up sleep to take care of your child.

Or you stay up all night helping the apply for student loans.

Or you work two jobs to put them through college.

You don’t have to do it, you choose to do it, because this is what’s important to you.  That’s not actually a sacrifice.

If we think of these choices as sacrifice, it layers in more guilt for the children.

We don’t want our loved ones to feel guilty – or do we?  

Maybe it’s a family tradition?

It’s extremely valuable, for the release of pain and suffering, to consider everything that feels like a sacrifice.

I remember when my Mom was so ill and I was caring for her, alongside my Dad.     I could have said that it was a sacrifice to take care of her, and to be a support to my Dad.  I gave up many things in order to do that.  But none of them was a sacrifice to me.  I would have paid money to be able to be with them.  I would have gladly given up more for the opportunity to be a support and to be by their side.

Would you like to turn your pain into gain?

For every sacrifice you think you’ve made, write it down.

Write these things down, make a list.

Look at the choices you had and why you chose what you did.

If the choice you made FELT like a sacrifice, then be willing to see that you actually were making the choice YOU desired.  It may have felt like you had to, and you didn’t have a choice, but that’s a trick of the ego.  We often have choices even when we think we don’t.

There are plenty of parents who don’t choose to work a second job so their kids can go to a special school.  

And there are plenty of parents who don’t lose sleep to help their children succeed.  

We may think it’s a given to do these things, but it’s not.  It’s a choice.

Get the ego out of the conversation and be willing to see that you made the choice that felt best for YOU.

It’s so important, because if you believe there’s been a sacrifice, then your children may well feel guilty that they didn’t deserve your sacrifice.  Then you’re perpetuating the painful perspective that is completely false and unnecessary.

Instead of thinking that it’s a sacrifice to work a second job, just think of it as what it is:  a choice to work a second job instead of having time to do other things.  In those moments, the parent feels that this is the best use of their time.  That’s not a sacrifice.  It’s a heart investment.

I would have been MISERABLE if I couldn’t have been able to help my parents at that time in their life.  There was no sacrifice, although I did choose to “give up” things that I could have done during that time.  I didn’t wish to do any other thing besides serve my parents as best I could and be with them, at their side through the whole ordeal, as much as possible.  That was my heart’s desire.

Let’s not delude ourselves into sacrifice anymore.

Let’s not perpetuate the guilt.

Make a list of all the sacrifices and turn them into choices.

If you’ve made people feel guilty for your supposed sacrifices, forgive yourself and let them know that you realized your error.  In this way, you are sure to be truly helpful to others and you will see yourself free in the process!

If you’re willing to have the courage to heal – we’re going for it – come with us!

If you feel as though you’ve been playing small, but would like to share your gifts and talents you may be interested in some of the professional trainings I’m offering. If you have self-doubt you’d like to transform so that you can share from Spirit and inspire others check out what we’re up to. These trainings are open to anyone – feel free to join us!

This weekend we have our Create and Lead Workshops with Rev. Karen Russo – both are open to anyone, and many people like to combine them for maximum transformation.

If you’d like to learn more, click here. This trainings is for anyone who’d like to feel more comfortable speaking in front of others, present a topic or a workshop with confidence, or just develop a workshop.