I wish to clear up one or two things regarding veganism

I often get told that people respect my opinion and therefore I should respect theirs. I'm sorry, but no. I will respect any opinion of yours that does not lead to the imprisonment, abuse and murder of 65 billion land animals every year and literally countless sea creatures. However when you ask me to respect your right to contribute to a system of abuse, particularly on such a terrible scale the answer will always be no. I can no more respect that opinion than one who believes it acceptable for a man to rape his wife. I can no more respect that opinion than one who finds child abuse acceptable.

Do not ask me to respect your right to abuse those without a voice.

I also strongly object to the word 'opinion' when it comes to veganism. Even if you do not care about species other than your own, veganism is not an opinion.

It is not my opinion that there are 7 billion humans in this world, over a billion of whom are starving.

It is not my opinion that the population of the world is expected to rise to 9 billion by 2050. 

It is not my opinion that it takes 16 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of beef.

It is not my opinion that the amount of grain it takes to produce a single steak could feed between 40 and 50 starving children.

It is not my opinion that many African governments are corrupt and sell their nation's grain to the West as cheap cattle feed.

It is not my opinion that it takes around 2500 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef but only around 290 to produce a pound of soy beans.

It is not my opinion that around 51% of all greenhouse gases can be directly attributed to the meat, dairy and egg industries.

It is not my opinion that 70% of destroyed rainforest is used for grazing hamburger cattle.

It is not my opinion that around 95% of the remainder is used to grow soy for cattle feed.

It is not my opinion that the WHO and the UN have stated that there is not enough space on the planet to feed everyone such an animal heavy diet and that we need to make the transition to veganism to ensure the survival of the human race.

It is not my opinion that human beings are the only animals on the planet who suffer from excess cholesterol. 

It is not my opinion that processed meat has been proven time and again to increase the risk of cancer.

It is not my opinion that a plant based diet has been shown to actually reverse the effects of type 2 diabetes. 

It is not my opinion that on the whole vegans are less obese than those who consume meat.

It is not my opinion that vegans are less likely to suffer heart attacks than meat consumers. 

So please, don't say anything about respecting my 'opinion.' Just look at the facts.

If you don't care about animals go vegan for other people in countries less affluent than our own.

If you don't care about people on the other side of the world go vegan for the planet and to ensure that your children and grand children have a good quality of life.

If you don't care about anything other than your own little bubble, go vegan for yourself.

Thaks to Jess Crisp for this

 

Watch Me

My mind is clear

My intention is strong

My commitment is growing

My excuses are gone

 

Watch me!

 

I am letting go of the old

I am making way for the new

I am happier today

I have a new attitude

 

Every step is a victory

Every fall is a lesson

Either way I'm a winner

Because I am taking action

 

Watch me!

 

I am meant to be happy

To satisfy my dream

I am exactly where

I am supposed to be

 

~Patricia Moreno

The Importance of Change

"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it too seemed immovable. 

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me. But alas they would have none of it. 

And now as I lie on my deathbed I suddenly realised: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement I would have been able to better my country and, who knows, maybe even change the world.”

Anonymous. Written on a tomb in Westminster Abbey.

 

The Importance of Change

"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it too seemed immovable. 

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me. But alas they would have none of it. 

And now as I lie on my deathbed I suddenly realised: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement I would have been able to better my country and, who knows, maybe even change the world.”

Anonymous. Written on a tomb in Westminster Abbey.

 

Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a fantastic New Year and all the best for 2012!

Worry about your character, not your reputation

Worry about your character, not your reputation. Your character is who you are, your reputation is who people think you are.

Sometimes we get too caught up in what people think about us and forget to worry about what really matters in life, like the people who love us for who we really are, and who we really are deep down inside of our hearts. In order to not worry about our reputations, we have to live our own lives, being confident in the goals we have set for ourselves, and also being confident in the fact that though not everyone may like us, and though not everyone will believe in what exactly we are doing.

 

A Scottish Wife

Three friends married women from different parts of the world..... 

The first man married a Greek girl. He told her that she was to do the dishes and house cleaning. It took a couple of days, but on the third day, he came home to see a clean house and dishes washed and put away. 

The second man married a Thai.He gave his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking.The first day he didn't see any results, but the next day he saw it was better. By the third day, he saw his house was clean, the dishes were done, and there was a huge dinner on the table. 

The third man married a girl from Scotland.He told her to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot meals on the table for every meal.He said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything either but by the third day, some of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye and his arm was healed enough that he could fix himself a sandwich and load the dishwasher.

He still has some difficulty when he pees.