To help my friend Andrea, and to help others consider a new way of living.. i am dropping my story to #MyVeganStory #NewYearsResolution #VeganEasyChallenge A few years back, when i was going through the pains of a failed marriage, i spent many hours looking within, as is only natural. I saw much of what i liked, and tried hard to be fair to see what needed rethinking. My mind was open. My catch-phrase was simple: “Everything on the table”. This meant that all of who i was, all that i stood for, all that i had formed opinions on, was subject to being on my table for analysis, a fresh start. It seemed the only logical way to move forward. During this time, my awareness was growing with regard to my consumption of meat, which was dwindling over the years. My love for animals was always there, yet the status quo that envelopes us protected me from the sheer lunacy of my dichotomy of loving animals while still eating them. This was about to change. It was a warm sunny Saturday in Victoria, BC. My backyard was my world away from the world: three-quarters of an acre containing much of my blood, sweat and tears. I had over 650 fruit trees that i removed by hand, with the help of Kinga the dog. I left a smattering of apple trees, of many varied species, including two trees the produced apples that are completely red fleshed! It also featured cherries, peaches, apricots, grapes, pears, blackberries and figs. It was my oasis. My pooches learned the seasons and knew when the various fruits were approaching their tasty time. They learned how to chase away starlings from the grapes, and how to avoid the sharp branches of blackberries. It was so amazing to be one with nature in “my back acre”. One day i sat down in the shade and happened to look over and see the dying struggles of a little bee, drowning in the water bowl i had put out for Kinga and Nelly. Without thinking, doing what was natural to me, i leaned over and carefully dipped my finger in the cool, refreshing but deadly water, sliding it under the poor little guy. I gently lifted him out, slowly, so as to not scare him. That started a 45-minute journey down the walk of life. I held up the little guy to the warm sun and let nature do its’ thing. After about 5 minutes of this, with my arm growing a bit tired, i brought the little bundle of tired energy to my face and gently blew my warm breath over his wings. He did a funny little dance around my palm, so i assumed he liked the effects i was having on him. Over the next 15-20 minutes, i blew across his wings. Nothing. He was just walking a slow, tired walk, but never opening his wings to attempt to gain his freedom. I was worried it was too late. I took a small twig and gently lifted his wings, careful not to frighten him. This seemed to help as he got a bit agitated. I took this as a good sign, but i didn’t want to get an unexpected sting, so i transferred him to a larger stick that allowed him more tactile feel on his feet and protected me from any awakening sting. I didn’t really care, but was nervous that my automatic reflex would be to fling him if my skin was shocked by getting stung. Once on the stick i could more easily hold him in the sun and blow on his wings. Around the 40 minute mark, his little wings opened up, and he tentatively started using them. Never strong enough for flight, but his little body took on a different feel. He seemed to have a renewed purpose and i felt his energy. I carefully put him down on the ground, lest he try to fly, fail and fall and hurt himself. I told my dogs to leave us alone as my little buddy was walking around my stone deck. Then.. as it was meant to be, my little bee-bud spread his wings and soared away, heading back toward my orchard where his duty awaited. As he finally flew away, i was virtually in a trance-like state, fully aware of my natural surroundings and my impact on everything around me. It was a good day. I pondered that day for a long time afterwards. I knew in my heart that my soul was awaking and that i could no longer move forward and allow the status quo to keep smothering my soul. I started the planning towards veganism shortly thereafter and never looked back.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 16:40:02 +0000
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