[grame]

“In every act of selflessness, of loving sacrifice, of compassion,...we seem to be giving something away, to be robbing ourselves. The truth is that such acts enrich us and make us grow; this is the only way that leads forward and upward......Love alone gives life meaning. That is the more capable we are of loving and surrendering ourselves, the more meaningful our life becomes.” from Reflections by Herman Hesse

[kalee]

I never thought it a sacrifice to put my children first.

[slowhandluke]

“In every act of selflessness, of loving sacrifice, of compassion,...we seem to be giving something away, to be robbing ourselves. The truth is that such acts enrich us and make us grow; this is the only way that leads forward and upward......Love alone gives life meaning. That is the more capable we are of loving and surrendering ourselves, the more meaningful our life becomes.” from Reflections by Herman Hesse

There's something drastically wrong with that quote. I don't see supporting my kids as being selfless, nor being sacrifice (though certainly a tradeoff). Nor would I ever have dreamt of surrendering to my kids.

Nor do I accept the 'Love alone gives meaning' idea. Love who or what you want, it's what you do that gives meaning. Love the grizzly bear from distance is ok, but meaningless. Do something stupid like try to be a grizzly and your meaning becomes a joke.