| "From the depths of our hearts
we can hear the cry of countless animals being slaughtered, we can feel
the hands of starving children reaching out. In our own dwellings we can
taste the toxins in the water, and in our own cities we can smell the
pollution in the air. The animals, the children and the earth are calling
us. now is the time to put compassion into action and become part of the
solution." |
 |
At times we may feel lost in a world which is full of such atrocities. We may
ask ourselves, "The problems seem so large, what can I do about it?".
When I heard of the injustices in the world in my early teen years, I, as many
do, felt confused and overwhelmed but never hopeless. I wanted to make positive
changes in society, but how does a teenager go out in to the world and make a
difference? I was soon to realize the power I have in me, as we all do.
"Each man is haunted until his
humanity awakens."
William Blake
|
 |
I became a vegetarian when I was 7 years old. The idea of eating animals was
abhorrent to me. I could not believe that people actually ate living creatures.
Many people came down on me for my decision, but I persisted and stood up
quietly. Nonetheless, this was a wonderful lesson for me and certainly the
commitment and will power that I developed during those years has carried me
through
When I was 16 years old, I met someone who was to have a lasting affect on my
being. He was my high-school teacher. He believed in me and my vision, which was
all I needed to believe in myself and in my inner strength. Together we started
an animal rights and environmental organization in our school which served to
inspire countless individuals.
 |
"Nothing is more
powerful than an individual acting out of his conscience, thus helping to
bring the collective conscience to life."
Norman Cousins
|
One experience that had a profound affect on me, happened shortly after I had
begun my activism. I was asked to do a presentation on animal rights in front of
the whole school! How could I get up and talk to 2000 people! They would surely
laugh at me and what I had to say. Despite my fears, I thought that if I could
just touch one person in the audience then all my effort would be a success.
Before I got on stage I prayed, "May I be the voice of the voiceless, and
may the animals spirit speak through me." Immediately I felt a presence
with me and I mustered up all the courage I had and walked up on stage. I could
not believe that after the presentation I received a standing ovation. People
were actually cheering! After that experience crowds of people approached me and
told me how they had been inspired and had started to change their lifestyles. I
was deeply touched and understood that one person could make a difference!
"Never doubt that a small group
of dedicated individuals can change the world. Indeed, it is the only
thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead
|
 |
Thereafter, I have been involved in many organizations for animal rights,
environmental, and social reform. I am currently executive director of
Compassionate Living, a non-profit organization through which we serve to
inspire and motivate people to live a compassionate lifestyle. Our main focus is
education. We go into schools, churches and various organizations to teach
individuals how to live with ahimsa. We cover everything from what you eat, wear
and buy, to how you think, act and communicate in this world.
 |
"Animals are my friends. I
don't eat my friends."
George Bernard Shaw
|
One of my most favorite pastimes is eating. Consequently, I enjoy teaching
people how to cook healthy, organic, vegetarian food. I inform people that one
of the most dramatic and positive changes you can make for your health, for all
creatures, and for the world is to adopt a plant-based diet. I love doing this
because many people want to change their diets, but do not know where to start.
When they can see how wonderfully tasty and fun a plant-based diet can be, they
inevitably want to eat this way.
Due to the fact that there are so many harmful and toxic detergents and soaps, I
also market cruelty-free environmental products. It is so important that as
consumers, we use our tremendous buying power to support ethical and
environmentally sane companies. Together, we can have a huge global impact.
"We must become the change we
wish to see in this world."
Gandhi
|
 |
Our thoughts and our actions must be in accordance with how we would like the
world to be. In this way we can live in harmony with the planet, the animals and
ourselves.
|
