How much would you give up ?

There re two aspects as to this. One: doing it for my loved ones, two: doing it for the world. I have always believed that charity begins at home and I live by that. I love myself and my family, my friends and dear ones and I would ensure their sanity and peace first and foremost. I love myself and for that I would secure my world and emotional needs. If I am not happy I can never make others happy, can I? So, when it comes to my loved ones I would go to the extent to giving myself 100%. I have found myself doing over my means and even when it was not really necessary. All the hard work went ashtray! But still it had left me a feeling to much belonged and happy. A few have utilised this also, but as long as I am afford myself being used I would do my bit. Now, coming to the second point, when it comes to doing it for the world, would do my bit. However little it may be. Like I would light a candle, gather people of my locality, my friends for a cause. It might not be a huge one but I have done things like that. I think it must not be considered as DOING for others. The I gets over dominant and all the good work gets to mere exhibitionism! I live life by my own terms. Like I will do my bit to go green even though that doesn’t affect immediately. I would try and motivate others also for that’s how it should be. People are lethargic about things that do have immediate effect and they think their endeavour would get lost or not required. But little little drops make the ocean. Every drop matters. That's how it should be always. Thanks.

the word love and sacrifice would go hand in hand.it is very easy to give up our personal comforts or anything of that sort,for the ones we love.it is the the act of deliberately following a course of action that has a high risk.for example;LORD JESUS.He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.-BIBLE-ISAIAH53:7

That is always a loaded question isn't it? What comforts? When are comforts a necessity? When are they simply wants? Beyonce made the comment recently that she is "simply a happy person, that she chooses to be happy". Well gotta say B, were I raking in $85M a year I could "choose" to be happy too. Not hating on the girl mind you and she does some good works, but we are talking tax right offs in the neighborhood that most of us can't even look up and see. So what comforts? Those that I can give up without sacrificing my future or the future of my family. Those that will not put my future or the future of my family at risk. Those that I don't deem as necessisty to the future of my family. I know that might seem selfish but the reality is that in this day and with the nature of this world risk, especially financial risk is far to great. What I give away today, even time I give away might be what breaks me tomorrow. As a small independent business owner every hour I don't bill a customer is a hour I don't get paid. Every hour I give away to charity (and I do give a way a great deal of them) is an hour I don't get paid. Every dollar I give away to charity (and I do give them away) is a dollar I don't put in my retirement fund (that recently took a nose dive). The world has created in us a more selfish community of individuals. One that forces us to look more inward. We have no choice but to focus on our immediate needs knowing that no one is going to help us if we need help. A single visit to the hospital can bankrupt us with out insurance (I am uninsurable privately due to pre-existing conditions). A downward spiral in the economy can bankrupt our retirement. The housing market can reduce our net worth in a blink of an eye. So selfish, yeah maybe but there isn't much that any of us can do for our fellow man if we cannot do for ourselves.

First of all thanks for starting a such meaningful discussion. So far as myself concerned, giving up will depend entirely on for whom I am giving up. For my wife, children and parents I am ready to give up everything. For others it will greatly vary on how much they need and how much I am able to give up comfortably. It may sound rude to some but that is the bitter truth in my case.

I know what I can do to the cause is a little bit. But I will give up the personal comfort to do my duty.

I got to say.. all my many long hours on this computer can be better spent doing volunteer work, or visiting elders, or sick people. and the such.

If the cause was true to my heart or the person was all to me and more, then I would be prepared to give up absolutely everything, no question. The positive way to see it in my opinion, is that we would be creating a blank canvas from which to start painting a whole new life on. Mother Theresa's quote is especially poignant and so, so true. Many of us get caught up in the mindset that we alone cannot make a difference, so why bother! Yet the combined efforts of many acting alone make ALL the difference. As another quote rightfully states - United we stand, divided we fall. Giving up things in our lives in order to improve the life of another is a selfless and giving act that will in time far surpass the value of what we feel we may have lost in the beginning.

I would give up anything and absolutely everything for my daughter, sonin law and my two grandchildren, as they are all I have outside of God that I know genuinely love me unconditionally.

Our family (me, husband & kids) personally has given up alot for the rest of the family. I never really thought about it til I ran across this. We have given up cars, money, etc. for others in the family when they have needed it. We live in a small shack (not a house), have decent jobs and cars that aren't pretty to look at but do their jobs. Yet, we are the first that are called on when a crisis comes up in our families. Funny thing is that we don't even notice that we're giving up something (like sleep or whatever). We (husband & I) grew up in tough times and were always taught that it was better to give than to receive. So it came natural for us. We sacrifice alot so that others in the family won't have to suffer and it comes back to us when we need help.

I'd go to all lengths with my greatest effort and sacrifice just to see that smile on my love's face. It's love. When you truly love someone with all your heart, nothing else matters anymore, other than your loved ones' happiness. It's bittersweet, but really heart-warmingly rewarding.

I would give up anything I could to help someone in need. They have a new show out on TV Secret Millionaire. These millionaires live in a poor area for about a week and then choice people to give money to. I don't understand why a millionaire needs 9 cars but won't help those in need.