Mutual support and self-motivation

1046: 

Because people who aren’t into vegan-ism dismiss it as unimportant, they give little encouragement to vegans.  For us, it’s a cause made harder because of that.  Of course, we’re not ‘being-vegan’ to win admiration but nevertheless, we all need some sort of encouragement or recognition.  Vegans get it mostly from fellow vegans, but it’s thin pickings because other vegans are also suffering from being marginalised.

In the area of Animal Rights activism, there’s a tendency to join the welfare lobby or make our main focus the least controversial side, with food and health issues.  But perhaps we might go that way because we need to feel part of the larger minority group.  And that is at the expense of emphasising the broader ethical arguments of abolitionism (the non-use of any animals in our lives).   Whatever branch of Animal Rights any of us are into, part of what we are busy doing is motivating ourselves.

           

Largely, motivational energy has to come from within because it doesn’t usually come from others.  It probably has to stem from a deeper-than-comfortable wish for self-development.  And that touches on altruism, concern for ‘the other’, empathy for exploited and most marginalised victims.  The focus is therefore on being of service to them.  Our own need for motivation has to be self-generated and can’t rely on grateful thanks, because those who we’re helping have no way of knowing let alone showing any appreciation.

Motivation is crucial.  We shouldn’t be ashamed to want some sort of reward so that we can keep up our effort.  If we deny the importance of reward, altruism can’t work, since it wouldn’t be sustainable and the last thing we need is for our energy to wither.  There probably has to be a gathering of energy from somewhere, and if we do get it from one another, then our efforts in connecting with each other is one way of refuelling.  If you’re a vegan then supporting other vegans is important, again it’s the altruism principle.  Whatever cause we’re fighting for, part of the obligation which comes with the cause is giving support to others, but at the same time trying not to expect it from others.