Good intentions

Being offended by vegans (who are up front about their diets) is a favourite defence of the omnivore. It’s the justification they most often use for ‘not listening’. But some are listening and taking what we say seriously. They may be deciding to alter the food they buy. But for what reason? Do they change because we’ve nudged them, or is it a naturally awakening compassion? Is it a wish for political correctness? Intentions not only test ideas but test resolve. If there’s any enthusiasm to become vegan can we marry it with real action. Becoming vegan comes down to a matter giving up favourite things and eventually giving up our MOST favourite things.
Intentions are interesting things, we all have them and we all know what a failed one feels like. It’s like when one sneaks in a sly hamburger or pretends not to notice the animal content in some delicious food. It’s not much different to having a smoke behind the bicycle sheds when we were kids. Stolen fruit tastes the sweetest - there could be an element of that in continuing to eat meat, as if stopping doing it would be giving in to the passive side of oneself.