“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” ~Helen Keller
If you’re sitting at home reading this and you feel like you can’t do much in the lives of others – animals or humans, think again! You can always do something! You’re here right?! Well, then “Show Up!” As a trained teacher, this is one thing that I was told when I first started my teaching career. The biggest difference one can make in the lives of others is to simply show up!
Yesterday, I walked for the first time with a few hundred compassionate people for Farm Sanctuary. My two vegan Meet-Up groups had done a fundraiser and I am proud to say that we raised $715.00 for farm animals. We came in fourth place! (I had raised $240.00) Farm Sanctuary does a lot of cool things for animals. Not only do they protect and care for farm animals, their mission is to inspire change in the way farm animals are treated & viewed in society at large, while also promoting a vegan diet. These people ROCK!
Farm Sanctuary Walk 2012
The Tibetan Buddhist monk in the picture gave an amazing speech afterwards about being compassionate towards our animal friends. On the walk, a friend told me, as we discussed spirituality and veganism. She said something like this, “It’s not about having dominion over the animals, like a certain text would have us believe, that’s a misinterpretation, it’s about being a responsible caretaker & advocate for the animals…for those who have no voice!” Well put and I completely concur with this remark!
My dog also enjoyed the walk and most of the people we met were friendly and gave us smiles. Some even stopped and talked to know more about what we were doing. I did get a dirty glance from a couple of guys, who looked me up and down – but so what! I truly felt happy knowing that I was making a difference alongside all these other compassionate humans…
“Walk for Farm Animals – A Compassionate World Begins With You!”
…and so can YOU!
Happy Sunday! Make it great week!
