NEW YEAR, NEW YOU / COMPASSION

I’m biased and love any photo of Emma, but especially this one of her and our sweet Mary as a baby🦃(before she grew up, developed a beard, and became a boy - whoops :)He came to us timid and scared from a hoarding situation and now healthy and full of confidence he thinks he runs the joint. One of my favorite memories as a child is sleeping in the bathroom with our new puppy because she was crying and I didn’t want her to be alone. Decades later I’d have a similar experience with Judy our labrador/boxer/daughter. She had surgery to remove a lump from her chest and because of where the incision was she could’t lay down without the wound hurting. She was groggy, confused, and in pain. I was able to somehow prop her up and hold her in a way she could finally relax and doze off. And somehow I was able to do that all night. There was no sleep (for me) but what an honor it was to do that for her. My heart has always been extra sensitive to the innocence of animals. They are some sort of magic to me and I love connecting with them or helping them. The difference between the photo of me moving a turtle off the road from yesterday, and the many other times I’ve done that (often stopping traffic), is that before I could have easily been on my way to chipotle for a chicken burrito. Somehow not making the connection between what was at the core of who I was as an animal lover, and what was on my plate. Once we stopped eating animals (initially for health), this compassion kicked into over drive. With the cognitive dissonance gone, my eyes were opened. “What are we doing?!” was a constant thought. Especially after learning about what actually goes on in animal agriculture. I saw a world full of animal lovers eating animals, just like I did for a majority of my life. I knew when I looked into Judy’s eyes someone “was home,” but why didn’t I think that applied to pigs, turkeys, and cows? Of course it did. Our natural instincts for compassion, and protecting the innocent are dulled over years of propaganda, misinformation, social norms, traditions, and not wanting to rock the boat. Because so many of us love animals we tell each other lies about humane slaughter, free range eggs, and anything else that will keep us from looking deeper and maybe having to make a change. Because we went WFPB for our health the change was already made, but the newfound and deepened compassion was an incredible side effect - and something that would redouble our commitment to staying vegan. Because I was finally living more in line with who I said I was, I was just happier. It’s hard to explain but I think there’s a peace that comes with less contradiction in our lives. If this these ideas are causing discomfort that totally makes sense. This is a big change, and changes are scary. We don’t want to open our heart and mind because as much as we try to avoid it, deep down we all know what is going on, and it’s easier to not think about it. BUT I cannot tell you how good it feels to truly let this in and embrace the compassionate person you are. Imagine what the world could look like if we were able to see worth and value in all life? 

If there is anything we can do to help you make a change for compassion, health, and the planet please let us know. We have a bunch of cooking classes coming up at Peacefield, we’d love to answer any questions, recommend resources, take you to the grocery store, etc. You can do it - and we’re here to help!