In order for me to succeed in education, I had to sacrifice almost everything I had. I realized that I spent most of my time with friends and family, leaving less time for my studies. Therefore, I sacrificed the time I had for interaction and decided to do my private studies. Besides, I still had to sacrifice the time I had with my family for my personal studies. I withdrew from them gradually, to an extent of seeing them once in a week to once in a month. I disappeared from my friends, and even though I missed my relationship with my college friends, I had to keep away from them if I wanted to succeed in my education. Besides, I understood that ‘no man is an island’, but some sacrifices are worth (Ginzburg, 2000).
In one way or the other, I can say I lived a lonely life, but my cost of sacrifice was worth. This is because I was the best student in my class, something that hailed a lot of respect for me. My sacrifice was associated with rejection especially from my peers, but when they realized I was the top student, they were left with no choice but to respect the decision I made to make the books my all time friends. The reaction was still the same with my family members, and they respected my decision even though some of them could never understand why I decided to keep away from them. Besides, when I look back at my sacrifice, I’m left speechless when I see the magnitude of rewards it brought in my life.
I got a scholarship from my college to do a Masters Degree, and most importantly, I secured a well-paying job in one of the top Companies in California. I was also given a top job which I comfortably do after my part-time studies. I am thankful for my sacrifices because it has made me a prominent person at a tender age.
I sacrificed my time and relationship for my own benefits, but many other people have benefit directly or indirectly from my sacrifices. I have used my salary to raise the living standard of my family, and we are no longer living in poverty like the one I was brought up in. Besides, I speak to young college students on the need to manage their time well and the importance of sacrifice, based on my life experience and most of them have had a positive impact in their studies. Most importantly, I have disbursed my salary to help the needy students enroll in schools and colleges, because I believe in the scripture from Mathew 10: 39 that says, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Wong-McDonald & Gorsuch, 2000)
References
Ginzburg, C. (2000). No island is an island: Four glances at English literature in a world perspective. Columbia University Press.
Miller, V. J., & Miller, V. J. (2005). Consuming religion: Christian faith and practice in a consumer culture. A&C Black.
Wong-McDonald, A., & Gorsuch, R. L. (2000). Surrender to God: An additional coping style?. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 28(2), 149.
