Self-sacrifice is giving up something you want or desire for the greater good of another. Self-sacrificing love is giving up something that would benefit you to demonstrate to someone else that you genuinely care about them and that your interests are subordinate to theirs.
It is at the core of leadership. For great leaders, it is a habit.
It is the greatest form of love. It will never leave a heart the way it found it, ever.
This does not come natural to many of us, but it can be developed.
- Step 1 is awareness. You need to be aware of those moments of opportunity to demonstrate it.
- Step 2 is being able to put your feelings aside and put yourself in the other person’s shoes. See things from their perspective. If it helps, pretend they are your son or daughter. After all, they are somebody’s son or daughter. We have an easier time self-sacrificing for our children.
- Step 3 is wanting to give a gift without any expectation of anything in return. Giving is therapeutic. It makes both the giver and the receiver feel good.
- Step 4 is action. Just do it. Do the right thing and give the gift of self-sacrificial love.
Do this over and over until it becomes second nature. Not only will your heart be transformed into a wellspring of love, it will change the hearts and lives of everyone you touch for the better.
MindWolves 