Dear Mina:

1. The original definition of the verb sacrifice is to kill an animal or person as an offer to god, to a supernatural entity. When you sacrificed yourself to your boyfriend, you sort of killed part of yourself as an offering. Good news is that part of you is not dead, just put on hold. You need that part so to not be a stranger to yourself.

2. Yes, focusing on him at the exclusion of you (sacrifice) is a bad way to live- it is bad for you, for him, for the relationship.

3. Yes, someone taught you to sacrifice yourself, an important part of yourself, so to get along with him or her. Someone taught you that part of you is not acceptable and you have to put it away if you want his or her approval. Because our parent/s are our biggest teachers, when present in our lives, I figure it is one of them. Or both.

anita