Note: the paradoxes of being vegan that I discuss in this and other posts are my own personal observations, and not necessarily universally applicable to all vegans
Paradox #2:
- As a vegan I've never been more at peace
- As a vegan I've never been more pissed off
I'm at peace because what I consume is in line with my moral and ethical values. For the most part (keeping in mind the two important words "possible" and "practical" from the veganism definition), I do not eat, wear, or use animals/animal products, and try to encourage others to do the same. As much as I can, I attempt to follow the adage of "first, do no harm", and vote with my fork and wallet every day. While it may not seem like enough, at least I can rest more easily (even if I didn't participate in any other form of activism) knowing that I do my best not to contribute any further to animal harm and exploitation.
But while I personally feel more at peace, I have also never felt angrier. As a vegan, I probably don't even have to explain this, and I assume that most of you know exactly what I'm talking about. Part of the process of becoming vegan is learning to see the world with new (or perhaps it would be more accurate to say opened) eyes and becoming aware of and being witness to the cruelty and injustice that nonhuman animals face daily and worldwide can be overwhelming. There is so much to be pissed off about! Animal use is so pervasive and ingrained and virtually no individual, group, society, institution or corporation is blameless. We can even become angry with other vegans or vegan groups that we feel aren't tackling the issues in the ways we would like, or in the ways we find most effective. And I think that while anger can be an extremely useful tool and a vehicle for change, it's also exhausting. For myself I've come to realize that I have to find ways to channel that anger more effectively because I don't think increased blood pressure and stress (as just two physical manifestations) will make me or anyone else a better activist.
How about you? How do you straddle trying to be more compassionate towards ALL living creatures when some of those creatures piss you off the most? ;)
p.s. in case you haven't read it yet, here's the paradox of being vegan part 1
Yep - this is exactly how I feel, too. I feel more at peace also because I feel much, much more connected to the lives around me, well, the non-human lives around me and I feel a spirituality that I didn't feel before even though I have always "loved animals". The anger issue has been a big one for me. I have become so enraged that I almost can't describe it, but as you wrote, probably we all understand this so need to explain. I have no good solution for the anger issues. It IS a strange paradox to feel so much spiritual growth, but to also feel the most rage I've ever felt in a matter of minutes depending on what I have seen, read or thought. As I've commented before, my anger gave way to a deep depression for a while. I still feel sad several times a day because of the horror of what I know goes on in this world, but I don't feel *depressed* right now. I can safely predict that I will most likely get extremely angry at least 2 times today because of something done against our natural animal brothers and sisters. And probably more than 2 times. I have thought about getting a punching bag. It sounds a bit goofy, but it would help with releasing my anger. Won't help the ones who I'm angry on behalf of, but I do what I can along the same lines as you. Until I can find more to do, this has to be enough. ... Looking forward to another paradox!
Excellent post. One of the things I have noticed is that as I became (and become) more sensitized to the plight of the fur, feather and fin people....suddenly many books and movies achieved instant offensive status.
Sometimes it is repugnant enough that I leave off even reading anymore of the book. Then I find myself wanting to write the author and ask them if they have given any real thought to what they are writing.
It is amazing how often ambushing and killing innocent animal folk (hunting) is glorified as some sort of exhibition of courage and skill and all-round wonderfulness in a book. I avoid getting angry whenever possible but opting out of dismay and astonishment and horror is impossible.
The pervasiveness of support for human animal entitlement to exploit, enslave, kill and eat our fellow animals is incredible and much entertainment and information content affirms and continues that grotesque legacy. The more settled I become to living vegan, the more aware and sensitive I become to the many signals and messages that just the opposite sort of living is "normal" and desirable.
Screw it, if it became that way, then it can un-become that way and I damn well want to participate in the "un-becoming". :-)
Both of these paradox posts are just so spot on. I will be sharing on FB...
Thanks so much Jill! I appreciate it. I'm not on FB myself, but maybe in service of spreading the word I should reconsider? :)
Yes for me too! Have never been more confident of the rational and kind choices I make... Yet more insecure about the world with all it's acknowledge ills. This uncertainty creates fear... The fear creates anger. Everything cancels out the peace till I renew my focus and then the whole "happiness/sadness/fear/anger" cycle begins again.
A lot has to do with who or what I encounter - And that's frustrating too because it leaves me vulnerable to someone else's "control". And it could change on a dime at any moment... A happy walk to my mailbox might turn to regret if there are supermarket "meat" fliers in the box. A pleasant drive might turn sour seeing a sign on someone's lawn for "pit-bulls for sale". Or as veganelder mentioned once in a post... I could be enjoying the tranquility of my home and then the sound of the "I-Scream" truck shatters my otherwise contented state.
I'm not much of a still thinker either - mediation might make me more anxious. But I think I've learned to handle the day to day unpredictable situations more though... I've perfected the art of deep sighing, lip biting and counting slowly from #1 till whenever I'm collected again.
I also fight some of it with sarcastic quips that only people who know me well "get"... And most of the time I know that probably doesn't make me such a great human to be around either. But you know what they say about those who can't take a joke. :/
On the serious side, there's always good music, cooking, gardening, creative hobbies, and spending time with ever-receptive, genuine nonhumans... Without these, the peaceful and "provoked" quandaries in my world would be unbearable.
Oh yes... And sharing stories with like minded thinkers and those who have "un-become" also help immensely. Thank you for that have gone vegan! :)
I went through an anger period but for the most part now I am just proactive in my everyday life helping animals and being vegan by example I have influenced so many people. I feel so happy about my choices and I think that shows. By example,walking the walk is the best way I believe because humans despise being told what to do so they must make up their own mind.On the flip side when people see someone healthy,happy and thriving they look to see what they are doing to achieve this.