The Brooklyn Book Festival took place this past weekend, a free event, and the largest of its kind in New York, for book lovers of all ages. This year it celebrated 10 years and was graced with the presence of a number of impressive and best-selling authors including Terry McMillan. She was invited to discuss the topic "The Nature of Sacrifice" and read from her latest book, "Who Asked You?", which displays conflict and sacrifice, much like her other acclaimed novels. Many of which have become feature films. 

I'm a personal fan of her work and own a number of them. Terry has a gift in expressing, describing and bringing her characters to life. In an interview discussing her latest work (attached below), she says that writing is a good opportunity to develop compassion and empathy by creating the type of characters one would have those emotions for. And boy does she succeed. 

So lets talk about sacrifice. Maybe not in the sense that Terry's characters have to go through, but the sacrifices you'll have to make pursuing your dreams. Perhaps to become an author or a writer. In the interview Terry mentions that she wakes up at 5am every morning because that's when her mind is clear to create. That's a sacrifice. The interviewer said he's never gotten up that early by choice. And therein's the kicker. 

When you're passionate about something, you won't think twice to sacrifice a bit of sleep. Time, money, and efforts are all fair game, in fact they're necessary to achieve anything worthwhile. I think too much emphasis is laid on what's being given up, or lost, and not enough attention is focused on what you're gaining. What will it cost? How much xyz do I have to give up, cough up?? Tiphani Montgomery, an Essence magazine best-selling author, has said on Periscope that she doesn't watch tv!! How many of you would give that up to become more effective and/or efficient? I'm not casting judgement, and everyone is different and functions differently. But lets be clear, there is a price. The question is, are you willing to pay it?

There's a Swedish proverb that says "kosta vad det kosta vill", and basically means, whatever the cost, I'm ready to pay it, sacrifice it, do it. That's the attitude of someone who knows where they're going, and have every intention of getting there.

What are willing to give up to work on seeing your dreams fulfilled? What do you consider to be a bit extreme in terms of sacrifice? Please share below. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Be blessed!

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