The word sacrifice can be simply defined as, “the giving up of something of value for the sake of something else.” Every person in this world is constantly making sacrifices on a day to day basis. We make sacrifices to acquire wealth or to achieve a goal. We sacrifice to be with our loved ones or to be alone. We sacrifice to make someone happy or to make ourselves happy. There is a constant battle going on inside all of us based on gain vs. loss. Most of the time, these decisions are made while we are on the move and often go unnoticed to ourselves until we sit back in our alone time and begin that internal conversation with ourselves about life. We ask ourselves so many wheres, whos, whys, and hows. We weigh the gain vs. loss ratio on how we value one thing over another and make decisions based upon those  conclusions. Where I usually find myself at that point is asking myself, “Okay you’ve made your decision but is that the right decision?” “What are the right or wrong things to sacrifice?” “Will I regret my decisions later?”

Over the course of my lifetime I’ve made so many sacrifices in the name of trying to be the best athlete I could possibly be. I’ve learned to sacrifice my time with friends and family in return for more time in the gym. I’ve sacrificed friendships and relationships because of my belief that my actions and achievements might possibly have a lasting impact on the world around me. And I’ve sacrificed popularity and monetary gain simply because I love what I do. All my sacrifice has lead me to great heights and I have achieved so many of my goals but how do I know I gave up the right things? Truth be told, I don’t know that I’ve given up the right things. I’ve seen my siblings grow up seemingly over night because I’ve devoted so much time to athletics. I’ve seen friends and girlfriends come and go because I’m so hell bent on being the best and people don’t like feeling neglected. I’ve watched friends and family surpass me in financial success because I’m so determined to achieve my goals that I’ve never really cared what the consequences are and I’m not willing to give up.

People say nothing worth doing is ever easy. Well the road I’ve chosen has not been easy. It has been a very long, lonely and isolated road. I’ve chosen the road most people would look at and walk away from because they look at it and think, “No thank you. That is too hard.” Nothing is too hard. It’s not easy and it only seems to get harder and harder but I push forward because I believe. I believe in myself and what I know I’m capable of. And I believe that some day I will be the best and that I will have a lasting impact on the world and the people around me. So have I made the right decisions? Have I sacrificed the right things? Only time will tell. All I can do is hold fast to my belief in myself and keep moving forward. One thing is certain. Without sacrifice there is no gain. What is it that you want in life? Now what are you willing to give up to get that? Are you willing to sacrifice? If you are, then the world is yours for the taking. Now go get it!!!

Henry Martinez