"Give me a V"
Today marks one week of being a vegan for me. And I must say, it's hard as hell. It's odd to think that my conversion was initiated, processed, and completed in just a matter of minutes after watching Rise Against's "Ready to Fall" video and looking at a bunch of stuff online. (Might I add, if you're gonna watch the video watch it at peta2.com, http://www.peta2.com/OUTTHERE/o-riseagainst_video.asp , because everywhere else they only have the pretty little edited version). There was just something about that video and that night that completely inspired me, and my state of mind at that time. I don't know. I remember all the times I heard or read things about vegan-ism as a vegetarian and saying "Oh my gosh I could NEVER be a vegan if my life depended on it, being a vegetarian is hard enough." Prior to last Friday I had never even considered being a vegan. But that night I made the decision and decided I would try it out. After one week, I am content with my decision, and I think I'll be able to make it a life-long commitment. Sure, no one knows what tomorrow will bring, but it's an ideal goal. Yeah, it's hard. Meat is good. And dairy products are delicious. But I am dedicated to my cause and willing to make the sacrifice. It's hard, because it is something completely selfless. It's hard to be selfess, and easy to be selfish. As humans we are naturally inclined to be selfish. So it's like going against nature in a way. Funny to think it's not even for another person... but for animals and for the ultimate goal of decreasing their suffering teamed up with all the other vegetarians and vegans out there. I never thought the day would come in which I gave up chocolate bars, ice cream, and cheese, among hundreds of other things. It's amazing what compassion can cause in you.
"Ultimately, living with compassion means striving to maximize the good we accomplish, not following a set of rules or trying to fit a certain label. From eating less meat to being vegan, our actions are only a means to an end: decreasing suffering.What we choose to eat makes a powerful statement about our ethics and our view of the world -- about our very humanity. Whenever we choose not to buy meat, eggs, and dairy products, we withdraw our support from cruelty to animals, undertake an economic boycott of factory farms, and support the production of cruelty-free foods. Regardless of any other beliefs we hold and however else we choose to lead our lives, each of us can decide to act with kindness and compassion. Making humane choices is the ultimate affirmation of our humanity."
Rock on.
"Ultimately, living with compassion means striving to maximize the good we accomplish, not following a set of rules or trying to fit a certain label. From eating less meat to being vegan, our actions are only a means to an end: decreasing suffering.What we choose to eat makes a powerful statement about our ethics and our view of the world -- about our very humanity. Whenever we choose not to buy meat, eggs, and dairy products, we withdraw our support from cruelty to animals, undertake an economic boycott of factory farms, and support the production of cruelty-free foods. Regardless of any other beliefs we hold and however else we choose to lead our lives, each of us can decide to act with kindness and compassion. Making humane choices is the ultimate affirmation of our humanity."
Rock on.