"Sacrifice"

"Sacrifice truly means ‘to make sacred’. By giving up something you really want, you are instead only hurting yourself; you are not making any relationship sacred. Even though you may give something up for someone, it is not sacrifice unless you are truly happy inside and without resentment. Anything short of this is truly superficial. Its only after you learn how to truly love yourself, making sacrifices becomes so much easier and accurate to its definition. Let me explain.
Sacrifice is never about giving up happiness but gaining even more happiness for yourself by making others happy. When you unconditionally love others, seeing them happy is what truly makes you happy. If they find happiness in what you have and you truly love them, giving it to them is really easy when you know that your happiness comes from within you and no where else. Sacrifices becomes very simple and no different than a side effect of true love. Sacrifice always originates from self when self is ready and should never be imposed or expected of you.
The act of sacrifice has been glorified but it has lost its meaning over time and lately associated with giving up for a long term benefit. But there is never any long term benefit gained from performing it in guilt, greed or force. In most cases, follow your instinct; in some where it is confusing, its best to wait and let the effects of time convince you. Do whatever it takes to balance between keeping yourself happy and doing things to keep others happy.
"

Always Midnight- Pat Monahan

Seems like it's always midnight;
sweeping up broken glass after every fight
with the sound of a train
that I could have been on
reminding me that the last one's gone.
With you,
it's always midnight.

Are you blind?
Can't you see me standing here
waiting in line
for you?
Are you mine?
Not just when you wanna be,
all of the time?
Are you blind?
Don't you see me standing here?
Won't you tell me what it is
I'm waiting to find?

You're right,
I must be crazy.
You're out getting high,
I'm here pretending I'm in love.
The sound of your heart,
my head on your chest,
dropped your hands to your sides
and gave up.
I'd rather be crazy than right
tonight.

Won't you tell me what it is
I'm waiting to find?

A way to get back to you,
a way to get out of here?
I don't want to be alone
at midnight anymore.
How do I get away?
Wanna see you in the daylight.
I don't wanna be afraid of
midnight anymore.

With the sound of a train
that I should have been on
reminding me that the last one's gone.
With you,
there's always midnight.

Are you blind?
Can't you see me standing here
waiting in line
for you?

With you,
it's Always Midnight.

If ever you start to doubt yourself,
just look at your son and remember all of the beauty
that you brought to this world.

Nothing can compare to that.

#3

Wow, another year has gone by. It seems like time goes by faster and faster every day.
You are three years old today and I can't believe it. I remember the day I met you like it was yesterday; your gorgeous brown eyes and your mother's smile. You were too young to know what was going on, but you still seemed so aware of everything. Of course, I was instantly in love.
Since that day, I have watched you grow and learn and mature, and I have fallen even more in love with you. Watching you grow had been a blessing of the greatest kind. I have learned things from you that I never could have foreseen myself ever knowing, and you have taught me many of life's greatest lessons. You are my hero and you make me proud every single day.
I know that you will do great things with your life, and I will be here for you every step of the way, I promise you that. You are one of my favorite people, and you always will be. I hope to be able to celebrate this day with you for years and years to come.
Happy birthday, Wes.

All of my love, forever and always,
Ash

IX.XIV.MMVII