I wanted to take a moment to talk about something wonderful that happened this week. my wife and I were selling a piece of furniture. This lady did not remember she negotiated for a lower price. I did not relay the new price to my wife and she paid the original amount mistakenly.

Of course, the first on my mind was Mercy For Animals or Wildlife Alliance. My wife agreed and we sent the extra money right away. Wildlife Alliance won out since it seems much more difficult for them to raise money. We paid it forward to the animals woh needed it most. As much as a kind gesture it would be to pay for someone’s meal behind us in a line. I hate to say most people in this area are well off. Myw life mentioned anybody buying a Starbucks is already doing quite alright. Plus with COVID times, its not likely we are going out anywhere to pay it forward.

Nearly the whole day had passed and she contacted me. She remembered and she overpaid. My wife and I were happy to refund the money. Instead she said keep it and “do something nice for someone”. WOW…. Something like that is absolutely kind. I don’t want to use the word shocking or surprising. But it is. In this day and age; with the political climate and people truly suffering for money. its a joy to see such a kind gesture. I have to thank this individual to provide some positive light. the money will be well used and the wildlife in Cambodia will thank you for it.

A very wonderful milestone in my life. 5 wonderful happy, healthy, and cruelty free way of living as a vegetarian. There has been a number of ups an downs throughout this time. Some Im not proud of. But I’ve only grown more confident and proud of who I am and what I’m fighting for. All other aspects of my life I never shy away.

But for some reason my plant based, cruelty free lifestyle has made me shy in the past. Not always wanting to be seen. These days it can be more of a badge of honor. Something to be respected. I’ve always have loved and cared for animals. And even though I have not been able to make a career out of it. At least, I can fight in my own way on a daily basis. I can influence society with my money and decisions.

Everybody has causes they believe in and fight for. This is my most important one. I’ve read articles on famous vegans and vegetarians of human history. They date back to Greek times. Its a sobering thought that my wishes and goals for a world free of pain and suffering of animals has been going on for so long. These historical figures wanting the same freedom and safety of animals since societies began. Yet today we have only made the real push to achieve those ambitions with social media and plant based eating achievements. I hate to think in their shoes there is no progress and ending in sight.

As I am sitting here being one of so few who share such lifestyles. I would have no effect on the world or people around me. They have the best moral and logical arguments for not eating meat, but are disregarded entirely.

I always continue to be amazed at how far we come. I feel the energy and excitement about what I am doing for the vegan cause. I’m not alone and there are thousands of others connected and making efforts every single day. Such momentum allows for my own mental sanity to push away any negativity. I keep thanking the animals and to all the them let then know im still fighting. I won’t give up on you!!!!

Sitting here at 2am on a Friday Night. I’m thinking. I’m wondering. My mind is exploring any option to help the Cambodia. Help the environment and help the animals. What can I do? I use to have my billboard idea, that went to shit. I need to be a business there. Who am I in America? Nobody cares.

Wait one day. I think I’ll go to Cambodia. I’ll be on the ground. I’ll help the fighters on the front lines. Help protect the animals. Not going to happen. What other ways can I help from the outside? I’m in America, I got family, a life, a career. I’m not in Cambodia, what can I do thousands of miles away. For years and years, I crank my brain day in and day out on what I can do. ITs so limited. I always feel for the front line workers. Giving there careers, life, time to the such noble causes.

I just realized at the end of the day. Its only money that talks. Its only money that causes change. I decided to finally just bite the bullet. Stop thinking over and over and racking your brain. Just give that money. Thats what helps. My mother has vetted this organization in the past. The Wildlife Alliance in Cambodia. Most NGO’s can take your money or do minimal work. But we know every dollar goes to help the endangered animals. I can proudly give every dollar to them.

They have the connections, the resources, the man power, and on the ground in Cambodia to help the animals. And if the way I can help the most and the quickest is to give my money. Then so be it. I can give a little bit of what I have to make a big impact.

I started to think, why not build wooden furniture to sell and donate my proceeds? Its all the extra money I would typically make. So its not I need it and its for a good cause. Its on my time when I can build and sell. I called it “Build to Rescue”. Essentially every time I build something and make money of it, I and the buyer can help rescue an animal. A super win win win situation for everybody involved. I donated for the first time last month. I adopted A Slow Loris, say hello to “Pey”. I received a sponsorship kit about the animal to learn. I think its absolutely wonderful. I thank Wildlife Alliance for their tireless work.

I need to stop thinking too much and waiting. Make the change now. Which I did. Money is on the way my friends. I hope its enough to help.

It took me a long time to come to this. It took me a helluva damn long time. It took time to be this happy. It took time to fight this hard to break my glass ceiling. A goal I never thought I would reach. It took heartbreak and mental anguish time and time again for many years. But I finally hit my stride. I feel a new found happiness and emergence in myself to reaching this point. A true vegetarian and where I can finally proudly say it.

I no longer succumb to pressures, insecurities or inconveniences of others in how I live MY life. Life is a life, they all have meaning, killing is something I no longer believe in. I don’t eat meat, I don’t eat eggs or milk, I don’t simply excuse it for someone else. I’m proud to say what I do and what I’m fighting for. Its a noble cause. I hated myself for a long time and was disappointed. Eating meat to make someone else feel comfortable. Eating at a restaurant with no vegetarian choices because I didn’t want to cause a stir. Now I’m able to say I don’t do that and heres why. Take it or leave it.

I think its always difficult on how much of a stance and firm to be. Whether it be friends or family. You might piss someone off. You might make someone uncomfortable. But I know I’m doing the right thing and thats what matters. I know no one could argue with me and go toe to toe. And if they want to debate. LETS DO IT!!!! I’m going to win.

As bad as 2020 has been on the daily, this has been a great year for my personal vegan fight.