Sacrifice by definition means to forfeit or give up something in order to have something else. Sometimes as Mompreneurs, the first thing we sacrifice is time. As
mommies we are not willing to make too large of a sacrifice with our
children (Of course, as they are numbero uno in our lives), so
inevitably it filters down to our loving husbands.
This actually is a problem with the dictionary, which never was
intended to examine the semantic definitions and logic of words (in
particular, abstractions).
Sacrifice does mean to forfeit "something" in order to have "something" else. But what exactly is the "something?"
In her book, "The Virtue of Selfishness," Ayn Rand explores the
fundamental principles of values, morality, ethics, and sacrifice. The
"something" we`re talking about is something of *value!*
When we forfeit something of High value in favor of something of Low
value, then we`re being altruistic and subscribing to a philosophy of
"wholeness" that eventually leads to totalitarian repression.
However; to sacrifice a Low value in return for a High value is
considered a wise and reasoned strategic choice. We see this in games
like chess, where one player sacrifices a bishop in order to win the
game some number of moves into the future.
When we exchange two equal values, it`s just that---an exchange, and presumably lies at the heart of business transactions.
The problem Edgar`s brought to the surface in this particular topic is
the idea of values, not so much of sacrifice, exchange, altruism, or
strategy. I`d argue that the entire initial concept of having a Life
Plan, prior to starting up a business, is to lay out a Value Statement
for one`s own life.
Consider the belief that it`s a sacrifice to spend time on a new
business, but to spend little time with one`s children. Are children
automatically a higher value than a business? By shifting the context,
we see that people do it all the time.
What if your life is constrained, low-income, and offers little in the
way of freedom. You put together a business, devote the bulk of your
time to building it, and your children don`t get all the attention
others might say they ought to get. Aren`t you building that business
for the purpose of having the money to then send your children to
college, or provide them with an opportunity to control their destiny,
rather than be a drone in a factory?
The key is to examine and say out loud what values are involved. If
you`re spending 12 hours a day on your business, what`s the value
exchange? What are you getting, as a value, in exchange for the 12
hours? How does that value compare to the OTHER values in your life?
Check out this year's entrants. The winners will be announced in mid-November.
Weird that I’d write a blog post about paying for content in a free content world, isn’t...
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It`s Christmas Eve day.... 
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