Yes, I am a vegetarian!
I have never expected myself to lead a vegetarian lifestyle, let alone pledging to be a life-long vegetarian. Meat had always been the top priority on my menu. I cannot imagine life without meat. However, this imagination has become a reality and I am still living well without the daily consumption of flesh!
Many friends have asked me the reasons why I choose to be a vegetarian, especially during meal times. My answer to these questions is - I choose vegetarian because I feel that I should be one.
Compassion is one of the ethical teaching of my faith. By practicing vegetarianism, one is also practicing compassion.
The path to vegetarianism is not easy. In 1998, I begin to change my eating habits. I start off by having vegetarian meals twice a month. With the support and encouragement of my vegetarian friends, I give myself another chance each time I fail to curb my temptation for meat. By God's grace, vegetarian stores are easily available within my housing estate. At the same time, I find out more about nutrition and vegetarianism as well as animal rights issue. As time goes by, I slowly eliminate different types of meat from my diet, starting with red meat and followed by white meat. A year after I eliminate meat from my diet, I start eliminating meat by-products and products with meat additives from my diet.
Now, as I recalled my road to vegetarianism, I realized that the choice I have made is worthwhile. My health and physical endurance have improved dramatically. Vegetarianism have given me the chance to try out new food stuff, which I may not have the opportunity to do so if I am still a meatarian! All choices in life has its positive and negative consequences. Although I received criticism, ridicule remarks, most comments have been positive. Irregardless of any negative comments, I still stick strongly to my choice because I know that I have made the right choice.
My vegetarian lifestyle is not possible without the encouragement from my vegetarian friends. It is the inspiration, motivation and encouragement from all my forerunners in the Tao environment that established my decision to change my eating style. It is also the same forerunners that stood by me when I first begin vegetarianism. Without them, I will never be able to continue this path. Now, as I examine my past and present in the point of view of a devoted vegetarian, I felt that all these have been the immense Grace bestowed onto me by Heavenly Mother.
Throughout the days when I learn to be a vegetarian, I have met trials and have failed a number of times. However, all these have served the building blocks to my achievement. Hence, now, being a vegetarian myself, I would be most willing to answer any inquiries which you may have. If you have any questions about vegetarianism, feel free to contact me. I may not be able to reply all e-mails but I will try my best to answer all questions
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