Over the last few weeks, I have been open about my drive to change my life. It started out as a way to become healthier on a long-term scale. Then it morphed into a way to better the world I live in and the future world of my, also future, children. Plus, it is more humane for the animal kind. And now, being Vegan has become 2 very simple things: being an educator and being a role model.
In the beginning, my boyfriend and I started out on this venture to try something new... More or less. His guiding light being very different from mine, we both maintain our new way of life by being a support system for one another. With both my frustrations and triumphs, I have shared every detail with anyone who is curious or questions why I have converted. It has resulted in something greater than I could ever imagine. Something I never knew was possible. I have impacted the life and health of others. Wow. It is hard to believe that just by watching a a few movies and reading a couple studies, and sharing my findings, that I could change the lives of so many people.
It started off with Francisco. Then my best friend joined in by eating more organic foods and cutting out the processed items. She also has a six year old daughter who she is trying to teach good habits to, as well. BAM! That's 3 lives impacted right there.
However today's events stole the gold. A woman that I work with, to whom I look up to as a motherly figure, took my by surprise. Sheer shock to be exact. She sits across from me at lunch almost everyday. We usually discuss life, men, the weather... You know, working things mixed with female things. haha. But today- Well, today was different. She sits down in front of me and tells me that I am a beautiful girl. That my face is thinner and my eyes are brighter. -If I hadn't have known better, I would have thought she was hitting on me.- I take a moment to bask in the shower of compliments that she is throwing my way. In the midst of glowing in my innocent glory, I looked down. Time stopped. This is a woman who usually has a plate full of variety... including meat and dairy. This was not the case today. She had a plate of veggies and fruit! She still has meat on her plate, but she didn't consume it. It was more for the purpose of using the tomato sauce that it was in.
She took the time to tell me that she cut out milk, all meats, and soda. I was speechless. It dawned on me that there is a trend going on right now. People are using me as an example, and making healthier decisions in everyday life. What an honor to say the least.
With my co-worker being the 4th person and many Facebook friends following my conversations and asking for advice, it is safe to say that I have made an impact. I am happy that I can share my knowledge and that others are at least interested, if not intrigued, by my notion. It is a greatness that I have never known. It's like a fire was lit within me. I am glad, and more than happy, to help anyone at any time if they have questions or concerns.
On the note of being an educator and a role model, it has been rather interesting in retrospect. Going to the grocery store and encountering lost men in the produce department has become somewhat of a calling for me. I was at my local grocer and a man approached me as I was pricking out avocados. He asked about them being ripe and then about the items in my cart. My cart was full of fresh green produce and measured bags of beans. He spotted the Tofu and then the questions started rolling out! I had an answer for all of them... Other than when he asked if being Vegan had any correlation to my being pale. I jokingly told him that I was naturally pasty. As my shopping continued on past our conversation, I spotted this same man down numerous aisles checking in the ingredients of items before he was placing them in the cart.
This has shown me that the influence of one person can be much larger than anticipated. It wasn't my intention to alter the eating habits of strangers at the super market by becoming Vegan, starting a blog, or even by sharing my story. This was a decision about life and happiness, not one to change the world. But if the man at the grocery store who asked me about avocados altered his shopping that day, and if I can be a role model for my friends and family- I am thankful...
PS: Anyone see the Veg Out Justin Timberlake skit on SNL this past Saturday? HA! Priceless. And all the more reassuring that I am on the right path.
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