Sacrifices

Sacrifices are things we make even when we don't want to.  We make these sacrifices so that the people we care for know that we would go to great lengths to prove our devotion.  We may sacrifice our happiness, time, money, or even dreams.  The idea of willingly sacrificing is an amazing gesture for both parties.  Once you sacrifice for someone, the sacrifice you made becomes miniscule in comparison to the strengthened bond of the relationship.  In this light, sacrifice is good.  It allows one to show how deeply committed they are to a friend, family member, or love interest.  Sacrifice, under the proper guidance, is beautiful.

The beauty in sacrifice also lies in the reassurance that the person you sacrifice for will sacrifice for you.  Not that sacrifices should be made with this in mind, but to begin a relationship with someone in which the two of you are willing to sacrifice for each other is the epitome of good company.  If, however, you realize that the person is not willing to sacrifice in the manner that you did, or in any manner at all, pain is nearby.  Pain because its not easy to be out on a limb for someone, risking everything, and they refuse even to help you.  Pain because you feel alone and unworthy of the kindness and good treatment you bestowed upon said person.  Pain because you have sacrificed, and even in the light of disappointment, will sacrifice again, for that person's happiness; but who will sacrifice for yours?

I personally don't sacrifice much.  There are a chosen few people on the planet who I would truly sacrifice for.  Once I develop an attachment, whether it be romantic or platonic, to any person, I am willing to sacrifice for them because I enjoy their company.  For these chosen few, I would go to the ends of the Earth and back.  But would they do that for me?  My first encounter with this happened to me in elementary school when my brother's friends would tease me.  They would ridicule me and annoy me relentlessly when my brother wasn't around.  When I told him of this treatment, he plainly told me that he wouldn't give up his friends just because they made me mad.  My problem was in the fact that their willingness to disrespect me was a blatant display of their disrespect for him, and although I didn't want him to lose his friends, I had lost countless friends behind the same rules.  Needless to say I was hurt, but I learned quickly that just because you are willing to sacrifice for someone, doesn't guarantee reciprocity.

I was altogether shocked, however, to find myself in the same trap recently.  My prior exposure to such treatment allowed me to rationalize the situation, but the pain was the same.  I tend to find myself in this situation a lot.  For some reason I do the most for those who do the least for me.  This road is not one of flowers, daisies and sunshine.  But rather of false hopes, numerous disappointments and the strengthening of my resiliency.  Herein lies the problem.  Solutions anyone?