As you may have noticed, snort, I wasn't in the best of moods the other day. It was a bummer of a post, I'll admit, and afterwards I felt bad and wondered if I should have just kept it to myself. On the other hand, every vegan is familiar with the inevitable mix of hope and despair that's part of the journey when you're in it for the long haul, so why not be more transparent about it? Because I sometimes wonder if part of the problem with ex-vegans is that they didn't share their doubts and frustrations along the way. Instead, they seem to keep whatever is going on with them so close to the chest that when they do renounce veganism (which I still think in part is due to compassion fatigue and burnout for at least some of them) it comes as a complete shock to us. Maybe if they had been more forthcoming about their struggle, others could have helped before it was too late.
Today I'm definitely in better spirits. Ended up trying the Tofurky Vegetarian Feast for the first time yesterday, and even shared some with my huge-eater-of-meat mom who declared it delicious. And while I don't expect her to change food choices at her age, it's nice to see her be more accepting of the choices that I make.
But the main reason of this post is that I wanted to share some quotes I've read of late that may help inspire other vegans if they happen to be on the downturn of the roller coaster ride. And in honour of Spring, renewal, and the adventure of being vegan. :)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
An activist is someone who cannot help but fight for something. That person is not usually motivated by a need for power, or money, or fame but in fact driven slightly mad by some injustice, some cruelty, some unfairness. So much so that he or she is compelled by some internal moral engine to act to make it better. --EVE ENSLER
Warriors must always focus on the action rather than the result. We do what we do because we cannot imagine not doing it. I never think about winning or losing… What matters is that all of your energy be directed towards achieving your goals… What matters is what you do today. --PAUL WATSON
In this struggle, there is no room for self-pity and we cannot afford the luxury of pessimism. Courageous, imaginative and passionate people can turn the impossible into the possible. Those people are you, me and anyone who has the desire to change things. --PAUL WATSON
When I look out into the world, I see the forces that would bring us disaster. I see the deep night of unthinkable cruelty and blindness. But I also look within the human heart and find something of love there, something that cares and shines out into the dark universe like a bright beacon. And in the shining of that light, I feel the dreams and prayers of all beings. In the shining of that beacon I feel all of our hopes for a better future, and the strength to do what we are here to do. --JOHN ROBBINS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
