The strength to happily continue vegan living comes from two basic aspects of my experiences. Forty years ago I built a barn on 7 acres of land and raised Welch ponies, donkeys, turkeys, ducks, bantam hens, and dairy goats. These critters were sheltered, fed, and loved. I had no interest in food or dairy products from them. They were simply given a home where they were safe and cared for. If one died, they were respectfully buried. My memory is full of images of happy mother hens with their chicks scratching the earth and clucking happily. The youthful energy of little kid goats scampering in the pasture was a sight to behold, and now remember.

The second aspect of my experience which helps me is my delight in living harmoniously with all of life. In music, one major chord consists of middle C, E, G, and then the next C. In my thinking, I start my life with C, and eventually learn to have compassion and love for mankind. This I would call E. G, the next note in this harmonious chord is choosing extend this caring to all living beings. Once this level is reached, its time to move up even higher to the next C. So, for me, living vegan is a natural progression in harmonious living.

Choosing to honor Vegan principles is a private decision on my part and I am the belief that this practice saves the lives of many living creatures who otherwise would have been slaughtered for food. I believe that any decision of worth must involve a “nobility of purpose”. Choosing to cook and eat as a vegan is a noble endeavor in my opinion and it matters not if those around me share those views. I am determined to find my happiness picturing some happy chicken somewhere clucking in a pasture thanks to me. Others may prefer hip-hop, discordant, melodies for their lives, but I find that living in harmony with all living things brings its own strength which more than overcomes any sense of isolation. Mother Teresa said, “Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.”

I have studied most of the major religions of the world and have been a devotee to several also. One thing of value that they all agree upon is that basically love and compassion are positive traits to acquire. As we study different religions and philosophies most of us take a cafeteria approach of picking the points we wish to allow to germinate in our own lives. As we find a value that we cherish, we tend to find ways for implementing that value. Eventually as we grow, selfishness gives way to a caring about the needs of others. We each grow at different speeds in different soils and err if we judge each other’s growth. An apple tree may start from a seed, turn into a sapling, and after a few years resemble a tree, but only after the tree matures does it produce blossoms which later become fruit. Depending upon the climate, soil, etc. it may be only in the 5th-8th year of the trees growth before fruit is borne. This growth period is similar to that of persons who are slowly growing into becoming “compassion minded”. As they have cultivated a love and compassion towards their fellow man they become more receptive to the concept that this circle of compassion could or should extend to every living being. They can do all of this without being linked to any vegan group and yet be strict advocates of unbridled compassion. I doubt that many would become Vegan prior to having first cultivated a compassionate mind set.

Three years ago, thanks to the internet, I found that I was not alone in my caring for little creatures and that such a thing as Vegan existed. Blogs and books enabled to fine tune avenues for my compassion which I otherwise might have overlooked. Although I am grateful for the insights and generally follow all of it, I am first of all a person with a consuming compassion for eliminating exploitation and oppression. Insofar as this has me in alignment with Vegan ideals and practices, fine, but no organization ever actually owns me. This probably describes many within the movement. We all are evolving into being even better in our exercise of compassion and can use the support and encouragement of others who are also evolving, but unfinished products themselves.

I was surprised to read that a 2004 Gallup poll of citizens in the region showed 80% opposed to the sport. Imagine, Catalonia without bullfighting. For me this is big news. The article points out that actually this all came about mainly because the younger citizens no longer find it all that interesting and the TV networks no longer broadcast it because it is too bloody. Regardless of ‘why’ it happened, I am glad. We may even one day see the end of the stupid ‘running of the bulls’ which annually usually kills or maims one or more persons.

In the U.S. cock-fighting and dog-fighting are not only outlawed, but its participants may face imprisonment for alignment with the events. Even the governments of the world can and do respond, sometimes, to public sentiments on such matters.

The problem with bulllfighting is that it is both cruel and exploitative. It utilizes another species without its consent. It is also terrible for people to obtain some type of entertainment from watching another species bullied and tortured. I have learned that I am not beholden to continue any practices of my forefathers which I find to be morally or spiritually repugnant. It is hoped that each new generation of people will grow incrementally better than the preceding one. Veganism gives us excellent standards to emulate.

The principle of ‘non-exploitation’ can be as far reaching as the teaching of ‘love thy neighbor as thyself.’  The application of these principles strikes resonant chords with many persons. However, I feel it is important that all of this baggage not be attached to Veganism as such. As a Vegan one may choose to concern oneself with saving the planet environmentally, but others may be disinterested in this pursuit. If they get the impression that in order to be a Vegan they ‘should’ or ‘must’ also embrace all these other interests as well, they just might reject the ‘package’ altogether. When this happens, one less person is enlisted in the reduction of exploitation of the non-human species.

Personally I have been turned off by several Vegan blogs which get so involved in the bruised feelings of some humans that the plight of voiceless animals becomes a marginalized issue. I feel it is in the best interests of Vegans to keep their message simple and succinct.

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This article was contributed by Harry Hebert. You can read more from Harry at Harry’s Tidbits.

I’ve learned to drink soy milk and cook with it successfully. Additionally I use sliced tofu cheese. This makes one less adult contributing to animal farming where cows are treated cruelly against their will, and both they and their calves slaughtered for their flesh. I’ve learned that 2 tablespoons of corn starch makes a perfect substitute for 1 egg and any recipe. This makes one less adult creating a market demand for eggs. Of course the same analogy applies in many other substitutions. I did not become a Vegan as such until I was 68. Its not easy abandoning that many years of carnivore eating, but with the desire to practice unselfish love uppermost in my heart, it is a meaningful endeavor.

Each evening I put 1 shoebox of dry dog food on my patio for the ‘night visitors’ of raccoons, opposums, and skunks which drop by. They are frightened by my presence and its best to keep it that way. They are unable to connect the dots and realize that I am their benefactor. Usually they come during the night as I am sleeping. Its refreshing to me to put out chicken scratch and sunflower seeds for the birds and squirrels first thing each morning.

There is just something about starting out your day concerned most of all with aiding little beings which cannot speak or any way say…thank you.

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Written by Harry Hebert. You can read more from Harry at Harry’s Tidbits.