|
Addictions
Veganism has made me feel whole. I can't think of any other time in my life where I was able to say that about something. Addictions are all too familiar for me. I wasn't addicted to alcohol or drugs--my addiction was shopping and spending money. I kept trying to fill a huge emptiness I always felt in my life. I actually believed that by filling up my free time shopping and by buying material possessions this would bring me happiness.
I have loved animals my entire life. I never felt comfortable eating them, but I knew that as long as I was living with my mom, I had no choice. When I finally became a vegetarian, I felt better about who I was. It helped fill the void somewhat. It was the beginning of my healing process. After hitting rock bottom not only financially but emotionally, things started to finally change.
At long last, I got out of the denial trap and received medical treatment for major depression. I quit my job, and decided to go back to school and change careers. My spouse and I worked together at building our marriage back up. I put painful issues from the past behind me.
I simplified my life, and cut down on a lot of unnecessary stress. I stopped shopping and spending, and took the time to nourish my soul. I had to look deep inside and find the courage and strength to be the person I wanted to be, and not who I thought others wanted me to be.
This brings me back to my first thought. Veganism has made me feel whole. Vegetarianism was a helpful first step for me, but it wasn't until I delved into the veganism philosophy Jo writes about in The Vegan Sourcebook and in Being Vegan that I knew this was the kind of life I've been wanting to live all along.
Veganism is truly a part of who I am. It has filled the huge emptiness and has awakened my spirit!
Name Withheld
- t
a b l e o f c
o n t e n t s -
Copyright © 1998-2013
by Jo Stepaniak All rights reserved.
Nothing on this web site may be
reproduced in any way
without express written permission from the copyright
holder.
|
