What Are You Willing to Pay?

Lately I've been thinking a lot about sacrifice and about costs and how these things relate to goals or dreams. As Americans, we don't like to hear such words. We want it all. We don't want to give up anything.

But I'm telling you right now, for everything there is a cost - a price that must be paid.

Now, it doesn't mean the price is high or even something that is necessarily painful, but it could be. A dancer may sacrifice her feet later in order to have her career now. A football star may sacrifice his knees later in order to have 10 years of sporting glory. A musician sacrifices his hearing later in order to tour in huge arenas playing with "the greats." These are common prices paid for dreams, though they certainly aren't the only ones.

Every choice has a consequence or cost, even small or personal ones. By choosing to eat good food, a person may not enjoy the taste at the moment, but their body will become healthier. Exercising will lead to a healthier body, but it must be done regularly and may eat up a large chunk of every day. By having one parent at home, finances are tighter but the kids get to have more time with their parent. Moving out of the city into the wilderness may mean fresh air and contentedness, but it also means fewer opportunities and less access to entertainment.

In order to gain a result, something must be given. There are several questions you must ask yourself:

• What is my goal/choice/dream?
• What is the sacrifice I have to make in order to gain this?
• Am I willing to pay that price?

One of the reasons I gave up performing music was I recognized I didn't want to pay the prices involved in that dream. I didn't want the insane fame that comes with making it big. I also didn't want to be away from home and on tour for months at a time. The idea of losing my hearing, despite my best efforts, just didn't appeal. While I miss singing regularly (and miss music generally) I still stand by my decision. I still don't want to pay those prices. For me, they are too high.

Luckily other dreams arrived that had costs I felt I could pay (or was paying already). Writing, even when becoming successful, had costs (and sacrifices) that felt more appropriate for me. Marriage and parenthood have prices (and sacrifices) that are acceptable. I'm willing to give up some possibilities in order to be impressively awesome in these areas. Some dreams really are worth it.

What are sacrifices you've made for your choices or dreams? Leave a comment below!