Today, whilst I was cooking, I was rudely interrupted by a teeny fly bobbing up and down around my food. I soon found myself ushering and herding this tiny fly out like a sheepdog. I directed it to the hallway and closed the door. Took me all of 30 seconds. I know most out there would not hesitate nor question the decision to clap that little fly and squish it and then would carry on with whatever they were doing that the fly's existence marred. I recall being in high school and whilst we were waiting for our PE lesson to start, an unfortunate and misguided spider happened to scurry along. Before I could even protest or volunteer to scoop it up and set it free, its life had been extinguished amongst childish screams and laughter. I still get sad about that. To just snuff out a life. That little spider, and the fly earlier, had every right to be bob and scurry along as I have to be here, so what gives me the authority to end its life? What gives me the distinction above them to justify being able to hand out death? I honestly feel they have the same right to life as me. Humans are so incredibly pretentious to think themselves superior on this planet. We claim ownership over the land, seas and sky, and over every other living species in this world. Some call it evolution. Some feel we have earned this right by forming the intelligence to build produce and distribute. Is it really evolutionary to lose basic virtues as compassion and empathy though? I wonder. We have evolved to live longer and progress further. I wonder if a long life on this planet is a blessing or a curse. I wonder if we are progressing further or truly losing sight of what matters.
I have started watching a couple of speeches made by people sharing the same ethics as myself. I watch it from the other side of the fence, where the grass is supremely green, and I wonder if had I ever been a meat/corpse eater, would I have been moved by them? I think it takes a certain sort of person to still be able to reconnect with the innocent compassionate parts of themselves and be open minded to admit that they are wrong. I think it takes a certain strength inside to be able to realise the truth and make the change.
I am lying here, ready for bed, after having watched a particular speech by an animal rights activist called Gary Yourofsky. It was just over an hour long, and it felt like 10 minutes to me. It broke down the lies fed to society by the meat and dairy industries and it made me realise just how right the choice I have made is. The choice to live in a way that causes the least harm and cruelty. The choice to live in a way that abstains from involving myself in the needless murder of billions of animals. I am so deliriously happy I am on the right path, and if anyone is ever so slightly curious to his words, and you have an open mind and a spare hour. Watch it.
Goodnight.
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