Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
I'm not new to the forum, although I rarely post. I am going to reintroduce myself.
My name is Candice, and I'm a vegan! That is the first time I've said that! I have been a vegetarian since 1991 and have been flirting with veganism for years.
I am currently working on my graduate degree in acupuncture at a wonderful 5 element acupuncture school called Tai Sophia. At this school, I am learning the importance of words and how words themselves can be used as needles, a treatment unto themselves.
I have realized that my language surrounding veganism has been very vague and has created space for me to be noncomittal. For years I have said that I'm "trying" to be vegan.
I made the decision this past Saturday November 20th that I will no longer "try" to be a vegan. I declare myself vegan!!!
I spent this past Saturday at a beautiful farm animal sanctuary about an hour from where I live in Maryland called Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary. It was their 12th annual Thanksgiving WITH the Turkeys. It is a vegan potluck, and their rescued turkeys (and other rescued farm birds) are fed first. (grapes, corn, tofu and other treats they love.) I knew being with these animals would help me to embody something I have been making abstract, the very real suffering of animals.
All of the animals at Poplar Springs are rescues. Some have fallen off of slaughter trucks, left to die. Others were rescued by caretakers at smaller farms who couldn't bear to see the animal they grew to love be killed. There are many other stories as well, all very touching.
So I just want to say that I AM A VEGAN! And I know I will be ridiculed even more by my family. That is fine. I know what I'm doing is right for me, and it's right for my fellow two and 4 leggeds sharing this planet with me.
Thank you, Alicia, for this amazing place where we can all commune and support one another.
with gratitude, Candice
3 Comments