Are you bringing a contribution or making a sacrifice? Are you merely involved or totally committed?
A pig and a chicken sharing the same barnyard heard about a church’s program to feed the hungry. The pig and the chicken discussed how they could help. The chicken said, “I’ve got it! We’ll provide bacon and eggs for the church to feed the hungry.” The pig thought about the suggestion and said, “There’s only one thing wrong with your bacon and eggs idea. For you, it only requires a contribution, but from me, it will mean total commitment!”
As we traverse through life, each of us will come to a point where it will require more than passive involvement or menial contributions, but instead will involve a complete commitment and sacrifice. In the parable, the chicken was excited and eager about the idea because it only meant a contribution on their part. What were they really losing? Were they sacrificing anything or was it just another daily routine? As for the pig, the donation meant giving their all, making the ultimate sacrifice.
The converse of this is that the chicken did not have to do anything out of their norm; it is routine for the chicken to lay eggs. The passion the chicken demonstrates is because it enjoys laying eggs, it is in its nature, and something is will do for as long as it possibly can. As for the pig, it was not their idea to begin with and thus the reason they were not keen on the idea. Furthermore, the pig fully understands the ramifications of providing the bacon.
You have to decide what are you willing to do to accomplish what you want and just how passionate you are about it. Find what you are passionate about first and foremost. Contributions here and there have mediocre results, but commitment and sacrifice yield desired outcomes. The next time you began a new venture – career, relationship, diet, business idea, workout routine, degree/certification, etc. – figure out early what you are willing to give and watch it come to fruition. The sooner you decide, the better off you will be. But do remember, it may require a sacrifice that costs you everything!
“You will come to know that what appears to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make.” ~ Gordon B. Hinckley
“The most important decision about your goals is not what you are willing to do to achieve them, but what you are willing to give up.” ~ Dave Ramsey
“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.” ~ Napoleon Hill
Powerful ☝❤️