True Stories of Knowledge, Awareness and Kindness of the Human Spirit Vol. III
July 3rd 2009 11:34
Compassion literally means to feel with, to suffer with. Everyone is capable of compassion, and yet everyone tends to avoid it because it's uncomfortable. And the avoidance produces psychic numbing -- resistance to experiencing our pain for the world and other beings.
~ Joanna Macy
~ Joanna Macy
In an age where compassion has been replaced by fear on the nightly news feed it is important for us to remember the basics…
The basics of having an understanding about our individual role in the world and the gifts we have been given as members of the human race.
The gift of an Earth that provides us with daily beauties and a duty to protect her along with the creatures we share the planet with.
When conversations arise about these duties the average world citizen is willing to listen with respect and understanding to everything that needs to be done.
The problem isn’t with the blanket notion of cold hearts or closed minds standing in the way but lies squarely with how we approach solutions for action.
Solutions for action that have turned into radicalism when faced with a society that found it easier to pillage the earth and treat her animals like commodities as opposed to an equal partner who needs our compassion and generosity to survive.
Cries of appealing to our compassions to do the right thing have turned into mandates of extremes as the human race has been asked to not eat any meat products, use any products that involve animal labor or to use the hides of creatures for warmth.
The work that groups like the PETA and SPCA have done for our planet can not be put into a simple sentence of appreciation.
Issues of our relationship with the animal kingdom need to be brought out into the open for a deep discussion about the sick things that are happening in this world.
In modern society we have strict unwritten guidelines about what is and isn’t considered crossing the line in the realm of animal rights.
While horse racing still reins king in a billion dollar industry of the most extreme game of winners and losers we will not hesitate to grab our pitch forks in anger at the first hint of a dog fighting ring.
Crowds of people will come out to stand behind PETA when the ugly face of ignorance rears its head against animals that resemble our family pets but when it comes to the creatures that give us nourishment we turn a blind eye to the time honored practice of torture, sloppy production and “whatever it takes” preparation of the family meal.
The discussion we need to have is finding a way to support these groups with our full hearts and minds without stifling the process.
What happens when we stifle the process is we lose the whole story in the grand scheme of things.
The whole story of shock and awe on foreign shores where species of animals are being eradicated while we become enraged by the actions of fellow Americans who collect dogs and cats by the thousands without taking the steps of treating them humanely.
These groups need your support and this can be done through a process of opening our hearts, eyes and minds to the entire gamut of destruction being caused to all animals.
Supporting these causes goes beyond monetary donations because what we have in this country is an epidemic of out of control and unplanned breeding that is causing stress on an already burdened system.
Fixing this problem begins with having family pets Spay and Neutered.
There is no way to get around doing this to slow down the population of animals at local shelters.
A population that leaves county and city officials with the harsh decision of ultimately ending the lives of creatures that had nothing but unconditional love to offer the world.
These are the hard realities that occur when we don’t take the steps of doing what’s right for our four legged family members.
The consequences may appear morbid or dark but it isn’t too late to reverse the process.
Groups like the SPCA are tirelessly working towards creating no kill facilities in neighborhoods across the nation.
These facilities are engaged in a fight for permits and funding which they will not receive without your help and support.
In a nation built on a foundation of accepting furry friends as family members from the ambers of her birth this should be a cause that touches the heart of every American.
The cause of providing a world for the Earth’s creatures to have the rights of living happy, healthy and productive lives should not be as simple as a split between those who eat meat and those who don’t.
This conversation should be centered on a society having the compassion to rally against injustice to all animals when we lose our way and finding practical solutions to prevent future dangers.
If you would like to check out what these organizations are doing in the fight for animal rights and protecting the extended members of our family please click the links below.
People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Help the Homeless Animals
Animal Concerns Community
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