Human overconsumption is a greater problem than human population growth, and meat eating is a big part of that problem. Sharon Gannon More Quotes by Sharon Gannon More Quotes From Sharon Gannon To be politically activated is to dare to care about the happiness of others and that is just about the most important activity anyone can be involved in at this time, because it changes a person - it lifts them from normal self-centeredness to a state of other centeredness. That is a good thing because it expands our perception of self. This expansion of consciousness leads to enlightenment, which is the meaning of yoga. Sharon Gannon yoga perception self Enlightenment is the realization of the oneness of being, where otherness disappears. Sharon Gannon enlightenment oneness realization What you do to benefit the lives of others will ultimately also benefit you. Sharon Gannon lives-of-others benefits Fishing is taking a huge toll on the planet's ecosystem. Sharon Gannon tolls ecosystems fishing Large factory trawlers indiscriminately scrape and haul up everything from the ocean floor, along with everyone unfortunate enough to get caught in the nets. Roughly one-third of what is dragged in is not profitable fish, but other sea animals, including turtles, whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. These beings are referred to by the fishing industry as "by-catch." Severely traumatized and wounded, these animals are subsequently thrown back into the ocean, dead or dying. Sharon Gannon turtles ocean animal Fish are complex beings who choose mates, use words to communicate, build nests, cooperate with one another to find food, have long-term memories, and use tools. Sharon Gannon tools memories long If you were a fish, and you were to touch a doorknob, you would be able to feel the presence of every person who had touched that doorknob during the course of a day. Sharon Gannon fishes able would-be Actually, fish are very sensitive creatures with highly developed nervous systems. They feel pain acutely. If they weren't able to feel pain, they, like us, could not have survived as a species. Their nervous systems, like ours, secrete opiate-like, pain-dampening biochemicals in response to pain. Sharon Gannon opiates able pain Being a joyful vegan is the best way I know to contribute to the happiness of others, ultimately ensuring our own happiness. Sharon Gannon vegan joyful way We all want to be happy. Sharon Gannon want-to-be-happy want How we treat others will determine how others treat us, and how others treat us will determine who we are. Sharon Gannon who-we-are treats determine Many genetically "altered" fish escape from the confines of the crowded floating concentration camps to mingle and mate with their wild fish cousins, causing horrible and irreversible damage to wild species. Sharon Gannon damage cousin floating Today's fishing industry supplies land farms with fish as well. Over fifty percent of the fish caught is fed to livestock on factory farms and "regular" farms. It is an ingredient in the enriched "feed meal" fed to livestock. Sharon Gannon meals land fishing Farm animals, like dairy cows - who by nature are vegans - are routinely force-fed fish to increase their weight and milk production. Sharon Gannon cows weight animal What you eat affects you physically as well as other beings you share this planet with. Sharon Gannon planets wells share The most important thing to remember in life is to be kind. Sharon Gannon be-kind important remember Be confident in yourself, in your abilities, and in your goals. Then go for it. Sharon Gannon be-confident ability goal It's a common myth that athletes and other highly active people need the protein from meat and dairy to fuel their activities and build and repair muscles and other bodily tissues. In fact, there is growing evidence that consumption of too much protein can lead to very serious health issues, including kidney disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. The active body can get all the protein it needs from a diverse, 100% plant-based diet. Sharon Gannon osteoporosis cancer athlete Have you seen how fish are able to swim in a school so precisely relating to their fish-fellows and never clumsily bump into one another? That's because they have a highly developed sense of feeling in their bodies, which enables them to feel not only the movement of the water against their skin but the presence of other beings who are close. They certainly are not cold-blooded in the sense that they are dull, insensitive, and have no feelings. Sharon Gannon feelings water school I don't miss another opportunity to try to do my best to finish the things I have left undone. I could say: It's my unresolved karma that wakes me up in the morning. Sharon Gannon karma opportunity morning