While the thought of trying to make the world go vegan can be as daunting as trying to imagine world peace (although as veganelder pointed out in my last post, the term "human society" is usually more accurate than world), it can be more manageable when broken down into bits. And while there's no magic formula or easy 7-step process (this world would have become vegan already if there were), we too quickly forget about the power of one. Because the power of one multiplied exponentially can bring about change in ways we can't even possibly foresee. Who would have thought, for example, that a lone image of a deceased boy on a beach could be such a rallying point in the current refugee crisis?
What does the power of one look like? It can be:
- one pamphlet or book that finally opens someone's eyes
- one video or documentary that really hits home
- one blog post that inspires
- one image that galvanizes collective outrage
- one muffin or meal that makes someone realize animal parts aren't needed
- one day powerful enough to scare the ag industry silly e.g. Meatless Monday
- one consumer product popular enough to cause lawsuits e.g. Just Mayo
- one mentor or role model
- one animal's world that has completely changed by being rescued
- one animal celebrity -- need I mention Esther? ;)
- one sanctuary
- one step in the right direction
- One Step for Animals
- one reason to either go or stay vegan
- one task
- one role
- one idea
- one thing
- one change
- one person
What can YOU do? That's up to you. There's lots of choice and enough to do, so pick what suits you. Pick what you love or what you're good at (often the same thing), because sticking to something and being able to do it over the long haul helps everyone. Keep in mind also that one thing isn't the same as a scattered or frantic do something, do anything approach, but a strategic focus that when multiplied can have real results. Reread pattrice jones' inspiring blog post Effective Activism, peruse 100 Ways to Change the World for Animals Part 1 and Part 2 from OHH, and:
Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive. And go do that. Because the world needs people who've come alive. -- Howard Thurman, American theologian and civil rights leader
Finally, remember that if nothing else, act as if what you do can make a difference, because it CAN and it DOES.
