04-06-2012, 09:50 PM
(04-06-2012, 08:54 PM)3DMonkey Wrote: Thank you. That's nice to finally hear. You are the first to say that in this thread. I've been hit head first that I'm not allowed to be loved and proceed to overlook video footage.
You're quite welcome, and I sincerely, sincerely meant every word of it.
In fact, I say again:
"Your meat eating doesn't define you to me. When I look at you, I see a different and yet insightful, interesting, and loved Other-self. So what if you don't have the same reaction? I can respect that."
...and for the record, you are absolutely allowed to be loved, are worthy of love, and ARE LOVED no matter what you eat nor how you react to a video.
Oh Monkey, I'm sorry for any hurt or pain you have experienced from this thread. I apologize to you for anything unkind or judgemental we have have written. When you express words that you feel unloved here, that saddens me, for I want to help make this forum into a safe space to discuss anything amongst equal siblings and without judgement. I send my sincerest good wishes and love to you. May we all heal from any wounds we picked up from this conversation.
I have no right to demand anything of you, but I am truly asking for your compassion for us. Sometimes we get very passionate when talking about animal rights because we feel their plight so deeply. Sometimes we get so caught up in advocating for our animal other-selves that we end up alienating our human other-selves. We aren't perfect. But the intention was never to make you feel unloved, judged, or rejected. Even if our execution wasn't done so well, our intentions were good.
(04-06-2012, 09:06 PM)Bring4th_Monica Wrote: That's an interpretation. No one ever told you that.
But, for the record, overlooking video footage (as in, choosing to not watch it) isn't the same thing as watching it and not being affected by it. Those are 2 different things.
Although I think Monkey has some justification for the hurt feelings, your comment here is absolutely true. I just have to recognize this -- I've read every single post in this thread and nowhere have I seen you or anyone else say that he is not loved or allowed to be loved. I've seen you trying to argue the vegetarian perspective the best you can, but certainly not going around telling people they are not worthy of love!
However, he clearly feels some hurt and insult, and we bear some responsibility for that as well as him. Some of it is subjective and internal to him, of course, but some of it is not. You have been unfairly and publicly accused of many things recently, and much of it has been completely unjustified and unfair. But yet you also have had your weak moments in all of this, too, where you responded to other-selves in a less than kind fashion than when you are truly centered. Those moments happened, and he obviously remembers them. We all bear partial responsibility for the conflicts we find ourselves in, and I myself helped create this mess. I certainly have no right to demand anything of you, especially considering how tirelessly and compassionately you've advocated for a cause I dearly believe in. But I ask you for more compassion for those here who do feel wronged, judged, and hurt. I don't mean to imply you haven't been compassionate, because you have. I'm going on a limb and asking you for even MORE compassion, peacemaking and kindness than you normally display. I'm asking you to help me see the Creator in everyone who has ever posted in this thread. I could use some help staying centered myself. Maybe we can all help eachother remember to see one another as the Creator as we discuss this volatile topic.
@Everyone
If we are to ever have any hope of getting the discussion back on track and constructive, we're going to have to mend some fences. It doesn't matter who caused the damage in the first place, let's remember who we are and what we are. We are One. We are all Brothers & Sisters, no matter what we eat!! Let's act like it!
In forgiveness lies the stoppage of the wheel of karma.
queue Braveheart music...Are ye with me, friends?!?!?!?
Love to all