I’m starting this blog, Blissful Vegans, as a way to share a series of personal “open letters” in response to several significant events that have happened to or around me.
1) Good Grievance. Instead of a virtuous “gratitude list”, a friend of mine suggested I write a list of grievances, I am aware of, as a queer cis-womxn of color and member of the vegan community. This list is to include things I’ve either experienced directly or witnessed in some way. I thought this was such a caring and thoughtful suggestion on his part. I love making lists, but I never thought to make a list of these concerns. It actually made me teary-eyed that he suggested I give myself permission to give voice to these heartaches. So I’m looking at it as a gesture of self-care. Giving these difficulties a place outside of my heart is a clear and tangible way to unburden my heart from holding these worrisome grievances all by my lonesome. Also, instead of just writing a list, I thought I’d write each story in the form of an anonymous “open letter”. Maybe they’ll remind you of some of your stories.
2) Our Struggle for Peace. It’s not going to be about complaining for the sake of complaining. I have a long time habit of finding ways to challenge myself to find tangible solutions to get back to my inner and outer peace. Besides, anger and frustration just make me restless, uncomfortable and unhappy. (I really really like being comfortable in my body and mind.) I don’t believe that ignorance is bliss. I think this phrase is really a euphemism for “indifference is numbness”. We can all stand to be less ignorant, myself included. Plus, I realize I’m not alone in these struggles. So I want to share these thoughts in hopes that it might bring peace of mind to others who might feel the same way and or have come across similar incidents.
3) 30 Day Startup. They say it takes 25 days to break a habit. Right now, I have a habit of blaming specially selected people (or groups of people) for certain things that upset me. (Anyone else do this?) In order to end the painful and frustrating blame-game in my heart, I’ve made a 30 day commitment to begin actively engage in grounding, connecting, feeling and exploring solutions for change or acceptance around these difficult topics. Plus, being public will help me stay accountable. So thanks for being my accountability buddy. Warning: Sometimes topics will repeat, because after all, I’m trying to break a habit.
4) The Taste of Freedom. I’m an ethical vegan that loves a great meal, but nothing tastes better than the freedom to feel peace and blissful joy in our hearts. In order to really taste my wishes for an ideal future, my intent is to offer to myself and others (in my little corner of the world), the potentiality for slices of freedom from ignorance, oppression and suffering. How? By exploring my heartaches with authenticity and sharing my attempts to travel back home to love in my heart. I hope it helps you in a small or gigantic way. I’m still learning, so I hope you’ll have wisdom to share with me too.
In the end, my wish is for all of us, including vegans, to be able to find our way back to being our own version of blissful vegans. Even if it’s just for a moment. There’s value in such a moment, because it gives us a reference point to return to.
Also, a few people have been asking me to record meditations for them for a while, so that might become a part of this daily ritual. Let me know if you want access to the meditations too.
Thank you for your time.
Blissful wishes,
Bee