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Lack of support and/or ridicule from friends
Started
by Sharna_
on January 2, 2013
Fact: Those that ridicule us don't really hate us... They hate themselves ...because we are the reflection of what they wish to be.
Just be strong enough to stand alone...be yourself enough to stand apart but wise enough to stand together when the time comes.
Most of my friends now appreciate "The kind Life" I live saving & caring for animals.
It takes a kind soul to stand up for those with no voice. Let the wolf inside you run free...
Best place for new friends right here....Hello Kind Lifers - have a beautiful day!!
I decided to become a lacto-ovo vegetarian when I was a kid. Twenty years later, I've eaten vegan about 90% of the time. My siblings teased me at first and it was confusing for some people who didn't understand it but eventually, it just became the norm. Some people who've known me forever, even forget about it and later realize that I've been a vegetarian all this time. I answered their questions with a sense of humor but also in a way that would get them thinking about it, too. And I tried to be compassionate towards them, as well --- I never wanted vegetarianism to be something I used for aggression. Persuasion is so much better and more likely to inspire many people to try it, of their own free will.
When people ask me why I became a vegetarian, the answer I usually give is "...because I can." It's something I can do, it's the part of the animal products culture that I have the power to totally control. And I acknowledge that it is a choice, that many people eat meat and that some people live in difficult times and are forced to make dietary decisions based on survival, not discretion. But I think the hallmark of a thriving society is when many people can become vegans or vegetarians and still be healthy, nurtured and well; it means something is working.
Tides are changing and many people in developed countries are leaning away from eating meat, if not entirely becoming vegan. Many are better informed, in our information age and are concerned with, both, the ethical aspect and ecological impact of raising animals as livestock. Smaller family farms and hobby farms are popping up and meat eaters and vegetarians are getting closer to the point where both can agree on everything about animal care, up until the moment of slaughter.
I like Alicia's approach because it's not authoritarian and judgmental in tone, but based on a very kind and compassionate premise: Just do your best. Every little bit counts and puts our World on a kinder, more humane path. It's the right attitude to have if you want solid results and long-term change :).
hey girl, I would agree that people who act like that are probably just hiding their guilt of not doing it themselves, by pretending they believe it is more natural to eat meat....instead they make out like we're the alien/tease us. some people probably are good people and genuinely think some of its funny, but if you tell these people you don't like the way their being and to stop, they will cause they'll respect your values and feelings. if they don't, then they are being mean, and that's not okay. the funniest one i ever recieved is that there were dead puppies in my vegan chocolate cake, so i "couldn't eat it" and should give it to my friend danny. . but the whole have some meat!! oh wait...you can't. HAH!!! thing gets very old, very fast. If you can join any vegetarian societys or the like, that could be a good idea, to meet some people in your area with the same mindset.
Hi I am sorry to hear that that happened to you....I often get "strange" looks for my favorite " it is a passing phase" I just dont explain myself to anyone...i made this choice for a variety of reasons and everyone of them made sense to me. I have not made my family give up anything and still make them whateven they want but gradually very gradually they have started to eat alot of more of "mommies" food than the other stuff. This is a life style change that you are doing for you make yourself feel better and leave a smaller footprint on the worold. Be proud of who you are and the desions you are making . As for all the stupid "photo Tagging" garbage unfortunatly I am not a big fan of any of this Instagram, facebook stuff so i really wouldnt let some idiots "tagging" you on thoughtless pictures upset you xxx all is good and when these "nay sayers" see the difference in you the way you look feel and act they too will make the change xxx
QUOTE THE DOCTORS
MCDOUGALL
ESSELSTYN
CAMPBELL
When in doubt, QUOTE THE DOCTORS. Worked for me. I keep all my friendships as friendships are not food based. Stand up for yourself or sit back down with the rest of the world. Sadly, the world is not vegan. If you want to be vegan in this world, you have got to be a leader. It's just how the game is played right now. I've changed many people's mindsets and don't ever plan on changing the way I eat because some insecure people think it's wrong. They are quite frankly, losers.
Never use compassion as a way to justify your reasons for being vegan. It doesn't work initially as it is a religious belief whether you think it is or you don't. You will be seen as judgmental. Again, quote the best doctors in the world that know their stuff. People are automatically intrigued by someone that knows their sources. Compassion is a bonus that comes afterwards. The world is cruel and the atrocities committed against animals are self-evident.
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