The single greatest sacrifice that involves becoming a Marine is the relinquishment of your personal freedom.

Set aside all the lofty ideals, principles, and the purity of mission and you’re left with the fact that you are now government property…literally.

You’re an item on an assets list. You’re inventory. You do not have the same rights as a civilian and the rights you have left are precious few. I’m serious.

Well, that’s part of the deal

You have to be OK with that (I barely was) or learn some healthy way to cope with it (I never did) in order to stay sane and be productive as a Marine, or any service member for that matter.

I’ve said it before multiple times on this site. I am and was then, a DaVinci type personality. I got bored easily while in the Marines and it took more to keep me interested in anything to get me to stay willfully involved.

I’ve always had a need for higher levels of intensity, richness, and complexity in all that I do in order to keep my brain satiated, grounded, and calm.

That’s the weird thing about being a DaVinci. Injecting intensity into our lives has a way of calming us. It’s why we make good leaders and do things involving risk with minimal harm coming to us than most people. We operate well on the edge. Chaos is our friend.

So, the greatest sacrifice I made was to give up my right to have any say in how my life was to be led for five years

What did that teach me and how does it help me now?

I have also stated numerous times on this site that I am extremely proud to be a Marine and even prouder still of the job I did while serving.

The price I paid in terms of limited freedom got me that title, taught me how to do a hard job under diverse conditions, forged friendships the likes of which I’ll never duplicate, and exposed me to the potential for adventure on a scale I’d never imagined possible.

The sacrifice was worth it

I overcame my major illness in my thirties, got my head on straight, and rebuilt my life by making sacrifices I’d rather no go into here but these sacrifices gave me my life back.

I also became aware of the sacrifices others made to help me get my life back and I’ve been forever grateful.

And as I rebuilt my family life, I knew how to sacrifice in areas I sincerely thought I never would, so that my wife and kids would be OK, healthy, and happy.

Part of bringing my family what they needed has led, in many ways, to what I do now with you, here. And it’s this last bit that you must consider as you pursue you mission, dream, and goals.

You’re going to have to give up something – likely many somethings – in order to see your goals fulfilled

There’s no way around it. I will help you identify these areas as we work together to grow your baby. I’ll teach you how to come to grips with this new reality and get through the harsher ones, should they arise.

Building your business, writing your book, creating your products, advocating for your cause, sharing your art or your heart, is going to demand a price. Most of you know this to varying degrees. Some of you don’t.

Just be prepared to sacrifice, if necessary, and know why it is you must give of yourself in the ways that may be required. Know what things you’re going to have to ignore that currently bring you pleasure but do not move you toward your goals.

Your WHY is going to help you through this more than anything else. I’ll help you get clear on what that why is too!

The photographer of this post’s featured photo: Tim Marshall