Going Vegan - Day 3 (first entry)
After 20+ years contemplation, am becoming veganish (all at once with deliberation). There has been no singular moment for this decision but rather a collective reflection upon life, death, and the collective struggle for us all to exist.
It's also not for health reasons (whew) or disliking meat (it's all delish) and have no desire to remind anyone how cruel we are to eat meat (got some Irish tender loin you may want, Mr. Swift). Instead, there is a nagging realization that I have no personal responsibility to the animals that I eat or wear. I benefit from but am not involved in their deaths nor do I have any knowledge about any suffering they feel and any person with conscience (or house pets) knows that animals have thoughts, memories, and feelings but we suppress these insights to indulge our most genuine love until we hunger again.
In this moment, am profoundly fortunate to have the luxurious ability to choose what and when to eat; therefore, as a humble awakening, I will strive to never begrudge anyone for their own food decisions or offerings since we're all on this "pale blue dot together," to paraphrase good 'ol Carl Sagan.
Have gone through many counter arguments, too, including: "What purpose would a cow have except to provide meat and milk? They are far too expensive to keep as pets."
Basically, it's not for me to decide a cow's purpose; however, I would love to see them no longer bred and raised for food and instead be allowed to live along with any other livestock someone chooses to nurture. Let the FFA become the FPA (Future Pets of America)! We're clearly not ready for this, either, since we can't seem to get our animal-shelter populations stable (so to speak).I no longer believe that most people must consume meat, dairy, or animal products. We are omnivores by nature and can choose; or, if we continue, then be the person who would be willing to hunt, trap, fish, and kill your own meal. If not: stop?
