Good intentioned resolve

Being offended by vegans (who are up front about their diets) is a favourite defence of some omnivores, who use it as justification for ‘not listening’. But some are listening and taking what we say seriously. They may be deciding to alter their food-buying policy. But for what reason? Do they entertain the idea of change because we’ve nudged them into it, or is it an awakening of compassion? Or political correctness? Or maybe guilt and wanting to win approval by announcing an intention to do the right thing?
Private thoughts lead to intentions and experiments, not only to test ideas but to test our resolve, to see if we can marry our initial enthusiasm with real action. Becoming vegan is like that, a long road of giving up favourite things and eventually giving up the MOST favourite things.
Intentions are interesting, we all have the best of them and they help us to believe in ourself. We all know how a failed one comes about - like sneaking a sly hamburger when no one is watching, or having a smoke behind the bicycle sheds when we’re kids. Our backsliding – what is it? Could it be weakness or could it be rebellion? There is after all temptation involved and the sweet taste of ‘stolen fruit’. There may elements of all this in continuing to eat meat. We might not be sure if not giving it up is weakness or a refusal to give in to the passive side of our self.