Slightly OT, but I think we/society needs to find a better word than "sacrifice". To me, it invokes too much of an image of giving up power and of one-way givi

Slightly OT, but I think we/society needs to find a better word than "sacrifice". To me, it invokes too much of an image of giving up power and of one-way giving. I've had this conversation with friends (as a conversation, I mean, not an accusation nor negotiation), and usually there is agreement. At the moment, I feel I'm not recalling our best substitutes, but I am thinking of the word "contribution". We contribute to relationships. Like an investment. We put in something of value and hope/expect to grow that investment. Like an investment in work you enjoy, it should -- on balance -- not feel like a burden. And all parties need to be contributing. Contributions may vary; at times, one may have more to give while another has less. At times, someone may need to borrow a bit of equity, e.g. when they are acutely ill. It's when, over time, the contributions/investments do not balance, that we need to have concern. Those are not sustainable relationships. Unless, perhaps, they are offset by other relationships and we chose to accept this trade off. For example, when a family member is seriously ill, we don't necessarily withdraw our support. Friends help to balance the equation and get us, and indirectly so also our family member -- who is relying on our support -- through. I don't see sacrifice. I see collaboration. And working with a really good team can be one of the best experiences of one's life.