I share this space I call home with many other species and their presence is as constant in my life as the grass, the trees and the warming sun.

Each day, I see us all going about our lives, simply doing what we need to do in order to survive. For the most part and as far as I, with my limited human understanding of other species thought processes, without malicious intent.

And regarding those who do kill their fellow beings it is indeed, their only way to survive.

In this way, I notice how the other species coexist in a harmony with each other that is seldom extended to my species in a natural way.

Over the years, many of the animals here have grown accustomed and more comfortable with my presence. I am always respectful of their boundaries and I consider it a privilege if I observe them, observing me in a relaxed way.

We humans have lost most of our ability to relate softly to and within the natural world.
To work with it and not against it as we seek to control every aspect of it.

As we slow down and observe without ego, the world around us, the world that operates so beautifully when mankind does not interfere, how can we not feel humbled and remorseful.

Consciousness opens a gateway within us that leads us to a different way of not only seeing the planet we live on but how we live on it and how we treat all we share it with.

I have been fascinated and drawn to animals since I was a young child. There’s a wonder that a very young animal has, human and non-human, a curiosity about the “Other”

Watch a young child, when they are not under the influence of an adult’s fear or prejudice and consider that mysterious element that connects them with nature.

Most of us lose this. We lose this innocence and soul alliance as things outside of ourselves become relegated to useful or not, worthy or not worthy.

As the opinion and teachings of other humans impact and shape our own thoughts, our ability to hear the voice of our “Creature Teachers” becomes muted and we quickly lose that innate connection to others.

And so we are drawn into the world of no longer seeing the beauty of “One”, unless it serves us to do so.

We become Vegan when the unseen veil that has long clouded our perception is lifted and we return to that state of wonder when we see the forest as well as all of it’s unique and magnificent trees.

I became Vegan because a door opened and I stepped through it.

I became Vegan because I had to look within myself as I did so and I saw all the conflict that existed there.

I became Vegan because I started to examine that which I had long accepted.

I became Vegan because I found out it is not necessary for my health and survival to cause harm to the other beings around me in order to feed, clothe or entertain myself.

And I wondered at the powers that had caused me to believe that exploiting the lives of others was normal, natural and necessary.

With the questions came the answers, with the answers came the actions and the actions led me to more questions and so it went. And so it continues to go.