I love burgers, steak, chicken, fish, pork (mmmm bacon). Always have, probably always will. However, I'm considering giving up meat, based on economic, environmental, and health issues that surround it. I'm not so much worried about the life of the animal (call me cruel) but the industrialization of things (anything, not just meat) while convenient and helpful in some situations, seems to be taking a toll on people's health, the environment those people share and the economy they are a part of. So, even if I love it, should I support it?
As a child, I would run around the yard shooting "bad guys" by the thousands and winning wars to get the girl. My friends and I destroyed hundreds upon thousands of "bad guys" to protect ourselves and our homes. Now, suddenly I am cherishing human life, even if it's an enemy's and I would hate to imagine myself in a position of choosing between ending someone's life and submitting my own. Supporting a war? I just don't see how I can...
I'm starting to lose sight of the important stuff like career, money, status... and I'm finding my interests turning towards relationships, ideals and philosophy. I don't know exactly what's happening to me. Is this just the natural mellowing that comes with age? Am I being cowardly, turning away from my duty, responsibility, and way of life that I was brought up in?
I don't think it's cowardice, because I think it takes a lot of courage to be a vegetarian, when everyone around you eats meat. It would take a LOT of courage to look someone in the eye and say "You can kill me, but I refuse to hurt you back".
Well, I haven't yet given up meat...yet. I still love Rambo... though maybe not what he stands for anymore. So what is happening to me?
I guess that's just the hippy in me.
