The unpopular or otherwise, question thread.

[Naturebound1]

 

[ledboots]

Lol, I missed that.

Colorado was the clue

 

[Danielle]

People know that cigarettes are unhealthy and still choose to smoke them, so why do people expect health arguments for veganism to work more than ethical arguments?

 

[Danielle]

Why do people like to say their culture is huge on meat, when that could be said about anyone? Pretty much everyone I ever met eats some sort of animal product with every meal. They might snack on some fruit occasionally.

 

[Danielle]

If the Earth is flat, does that mean the sun and moon are also flat? What about other planets? Flat too?

 

[Danielle]

If circumcision desensitizes the *****, how is is it possible for guys to orgasm easily? Why does it take longer for an uncircumcised woman to orgasm than a circumcised man?

 

[Second Summer]

Is it actually possible to make out the words of what Enya is singing or is she just singing in a fantasy language? (Not that there's anything wrong with that ... )

 

[shyvas]

Is it actually possible to make out the words of what Enya is singing or is she just singing in a fantasy language? (Not that there's anything wrong with that ... )

Enya is one of my favourite artists. I think that many of her songs are not only in English but Gaelic and Latin. I honestly don't understand half of what she sings but just enjoy the soothing music and wonderful voice.

If artists don't sing in English, they are often doomed from the international scene. I wonder whether Abba would have enjoyed the same success if they had performed in their mother tongue ?

 

[Naturebound1]

This is going to be a shock, and I am really not sure why I am even opening up here. I am not looking for feedback of any kind. Maybe just wondering if I will still be welcomed here. Feeling that people will lose respect for me, or no longer take me seriously, or think I am the worst hypocrite. I've had a positive response on my personal page on Facebook, the only place aside from a few close friends and family that I have shared this. I've left most forums for fear of judgment and shaming.

I am no longer vegan, but am now lacto ovo vegetarian. Honestly I didn't see it coming either. I was a strong ethical vegan for over six years, straight from omni. I was going to be vegan for life. Over the last few months I have really started to think more deeply about some personal health issues I have battled for a long time (eating disorder, osteoporosis), and have done some soul searching about what I feel is best for me in the long term. I arrived at this conclusion recently, and began to reintroduced dairy yogurt into my diet two weeks ago. But it isn't just about health. It is about desire, flexibility, relationships, normalcy, cravings. There just isn't a black and white reason, but a myriad of struggles and desires and frustrations and doubts and cravings that culminated in this move. I don't want to go on analyzing it all. Just to say this is where I am right now. Doesn't mean I will stay at this point forever, and who knows, maybe I will return to veganism later. I feel more comfortable here at the moment. It's just all very strange because I still practice many vegan habits most of the time, and I don't consume these animal products daily. The idea of more flexibility is somehow this huge relief for me. I am very well aware of the impact my choices are having on living beings, and that I am doing something I preached against for a very long time. I'm not proud of this, and not going to make excuses or pretend eating dairy and eggs is ok from an ethical standpoint, but I am owning my choice and making a sort of compromise to satisfy some personal struggles but keep at least some sort of ethical practice going. I still have no desire to eat meat/flesh.

I haven't had time to sit down and really sort it out. Life is so busy. I have shed many tears over this, and struggle with negative and positive feelings inside. I struggled as a vegan in some ways with the same feelings, though different battles in my head. And many fears.

I feel like it's a lonely place to be, ironically more so as a vegetarian than vegan. Most forums are strongly leaning towards veganism, and most vegetarians are working towards becoming vegan. I feel like I have it all backwards lol. But this is where I am in my crazy upside down journey. Definitely not promoting eggs and dairy. I think vegans can be very healthy, happy, awesome. It's just my personal situation and what I feel comfortable with right now. I've come a long way in fighting my eating disorder, feel like I am close to a big break through, and this feels like something I need to do for a while. I don't feel I did veganism all wrong or that it made me more unhealthy etc. Nothing like that.

 

[KLS52]

It's terrible what judgement/shame does to a person. You won't get either from me.

 

[shyvas]

It's terrible what judgement/shame does to a person. You won't get either from me.

Same here. This is a forum for vegetarians and vegans.

 

[KLS52]

I'm happy to see you back here. I was wondering how you were doing.

 

[Naturebound1]

I'm happy to see you back here. I was wondering how you were doing.

Thank you! I have been doing ok otherwise, though still struggling with injuries (mostly knees right now) with my crazy exercising (cycling, dancing, canoeing, weights). I did two recent canoe trips, camping, and then was out of town a week ago visiting the inlaws. And I have unexpectedly been handed more work to take on at my job so have been working like a mad woman trying to keep up. I really miss you guys! Stayed away from forums for a little while trying to sort out my personal life. Narrowed it down to Facebook here and there.

How have you been?

 

[silva]

I've fought against suggesting to you to be less restrictive! You have issues with health that you do so very much to overcome. I don't know anyone more committed to personal responsibility than you, you've never put blame on others, used them as a crutch, and your drive to maintain a strict exercise and diet are remarkable. I don't know how anyone does that without feeling like they're going to crack
I see people as omnivorous. I don't say that to mean we should eat, or use animals, only that we have the ability to eat according to our needs and surroundings. We are animals. We have a lifestyle of mechanized comfort, and meat and other products do harm to us in every way, as well as the animals we use. We don't need to use animals the way that is allowed, but using animals for NEEDS does not require that kind of treatment. A dog to help a disabled person. A sheep naturally sheared. A cows milk taken for need is not harmed.
(Do you remember Earthling? AKA (?) She was vegan, moved to India and worked on an Ahimsa dairy)
I'd never question or judge a persons decision to use animal derived products if it means improving their life when I know they understand that decision. For you to include dairy for your health is a well thought through decision. I don't question it at all
Being OCD is never limited to one area. Fear of contributing to suffering can lead many to bring suffering to themselves. For you to chose to incorporate dairy in your life I think is a wise choice--whether you do, or don't. Allowing yourself to put yourself first is a very healthy decision. The ability for you to say " I am freeing myself of a self imposed prison of fear" is a good thing. YOU are worthy.
To continue to deny yourself of foods that can help you I see as the same as taking prey from a tiger. Life is not black or white. There is no perfect vegan, in fact, I believe you're a better vegan even with dairy! Vegan is about caring about life on this planet and doing the least harm. No one, no person, no animal, lives without affecting other life
You don't need to say any more, you don't need to feel you should 'come clean', or worry about being hypocritical. I think it's more hypocritical for you to neglect yourself. You're such a great inspiration! And a great role model.
If people, esp anyone here (or there !) don't understand it, or chatize you about it, they're not worth your time. I know this is a hard thing for you, and you're judging yourself harshly. Please! Be proud of yourself! You've done so much good, and saying that you feel a need to put some dairy in your diet, not just that you think you need the nutrition, but you need the release from obsession. You don't need to answer to anyone but yourself, but I do hope the vegan group you've been in is "vegan" enough to understand!

I was worried about you, and I'm so glad you're back!

 

[Naturebound1]

I've fought against suggesting to you to be less restrictive! You have issues with health that you do so very much to overcome. I don't know anyone more committed to personal responsibility than you, you've never put blame on others, used them as a crutch, and your drive to maintain a strict exercise and diet are remarkable. I don't know how anyone does that without feeling like they're going to crack
I see people as omnivorous. I don't say that to mean we should eat, or use animals, only that we have the ability to eat according to our needs and surroundings. We are animals. We have a lifestyle of mechanized comfort, and meat and other products do harm to us in every way, as well as the animals we use. We don't need to use animals the way that is allowed, but using animals for NEEDS does not require that kind of treatment. A dog to help a disabled person. A sheep naturally sheared. A cows milk taken for need is not harmed.
(Do you remember Earthling? AKA (?) She was vegan, moved to India and worked on an Ahimsa dairy)
I'd never question or judge a persons decision to use animal derived products if it means improving their life when I know they understand that decision. For you to include dairy for your health is a well thought through decision. I don't question it at all
Being OCD is never limited to one area. Fear of contributing to suffering can lead many to bring suffering to themselves. For you to chose to incorporate dairy in your life I think is a wise choice--whether you do, or don't. Allowing yourself to put yourself first is a very healthy decision. The ability for you to say " I am freeing myself of a self imposed prison of fear" is a good thing. YOU are worthy.
To continue to deny yourself of foods that can help you I see as the same as taking prey from a tiger. Life is not black or white. There is no perfect vegan, in fact, I believe you're a better vegan even with dairy! Vegan is about caring about life on this planet and doing the least harm. No one, no person, no animal, lives without affecting other life
You don't need to say any more, you don't need to feel you should 'come clean', or worry about being hypocritical. I think it's more hypocritical for you to neglect yourself. You're such a great inspiration! And a great role model.
If people, esp anyone here (or there !) don't understand it, or chatize you about it, they're not worth your time. I know this is a hard thing for you, and you're judging yourself harshly. Please! Be proud of yourself! You've done so much good, and saying that you feel a need to put some dairy in your diet, not just that you think you need the nutrition, but you need the release from obsession. You don't need to answer to anyone but yourself, but I do hope the vegan group you've been in is "vegan" enough to understand!

I was worried about you, and I'm so glad you're back!

Wow, words can not express my gratitude for your understanding and ability to explain my struggles silva! Thank you so much. Indeed I am very very hard on myself and in tears right now. But I am fighting to be healthier and have a better outlook on life. I need to give up some restrictions and the many rules regarding food (and other areas) I have acquired and accumulated over the years. I really felt like I was losing touch with myself, my needs, and letting relationships suffer. No longer being the person I wanted to be in this world. I needed to take a step back, regress a little in order to move forward if that makes sense. Thanks again!

 

[Poppy]

No one is perfect (and who would want to be?), nothing stays the same, and even the very best intentions sometimes have bad outcomes. That's life. I'm glad to see you back and hope you find wholeness and happiness here and in the real world!

 

[silva]

Makes perfect sense to me! We all have different common senses. We all rate rights and wrongs with different values. Some obsess over whether sugar is vegan, but don't bother about fair trade. Others buy ethically, but not vegan. I can only hope for people to care enough to change their habits. It gets hard when you know about all the wrongs and want to do everything. You lose your own peace, and that's something no one else can give you.
When I was a teenager I went veg, and did understand it was wrong to keep animals from their own lives. I got so caught up with wanting to eliminate my part in using things that I pretty much broke down. I left it all behind until I resolved to step back, breathe, and do what I could to still my sanity.
People who are quick to judge what others do, say that everyone can do everything, are liars

 

[Moll Flanders]

Why are there so many clothes for women without pockets? The pockets are missing or the pockets are "fake", it's super annoying.

 

[Second Summer]

Why do I sometimes see French people write their family names in uppercase?! It's weird.

 

[Val]

Why do I sometimes see French people write their family names in uppercase?! It's weird.

.....Russian people have a tendency to write EVERYTHING in uppercase