Many times I have written about not giving up, about keeping strong in the fight to be a voice for the voiceless and in making the world a better place for all living beings.
After a few days with vegan bloggers from around the world at Vida Vegan Con 2013 in Portland, Oregon, my hope is higher than ever!
If you read any vegan blog, most likely the blogger was at Vida Vegan Con, or really wanted to be here.
And this amazing group of bloggers who are changing the world in so many ways inspired me and filled my heart and head with hope.
I am sure that the blogosphere will be filled with stories of Portland, mind-blowing vegan food (and lots of it) food, as well as notes from sessions that covered the entire universe of what bloggers need to know to become better bloggers.
What I want to make sure you know about is that the conference rooms were filled with sweet, compassionate people. People who take time out of their lives everyday to blog about vegan food, animal rights, nutrition, recipes, human rights and so much more.
I met people from all walks of life, from small towns and big cities. People who have been vegan for a decade plus and people who have been vegan for three weeks.
The common theme was compassion and kindness.
One of my biggest surprises was how many people here actually know our blog and even asked me "Didn't you two just celebrate an anniversary?"! I was thrilled to know that other bloggers read our blog!
So be warned people who think vegan food sucks. Be warned all of those who make a living off of the suffering of animals. Be warned those who don't want the world to know that a better world is one filled with amazing vegan food and a thought process that does not include the torture and misery of any living being. These hundreds of bloggers are going to leave here and continue to change the world. They will never stop writing about compassion and how even the simplest of actions make significant change.
To all of those who attended Vida Vegan Con 2013, thank you for the love and kindness you expressed to meet over the past few days. You changed me. You reinvigorated my hope that we indeed are making the world a better place for all living beings.
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ReplyDeleteIt was delightful to meet you this weekend! I hope you have an excellent trip home.
ReplyDeleteI feel the exact same way about meeting you both! PLEASE stay in touch! XO
DeleteDan!!! You are just purely true and loveable! Wish Mike could have made the trip, but NEXT TIME!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I am incredibly grateful that I was able to get to know you two! XOXO
ReplyDeleteStill high on VVC, and will be for a long time I think. Thank you for being there, for being you. So happy to be your "neighbor"! Hope to see you again soon. xoxo
ReplyDeleteKim! I was thrilled to meet both of you and can't wait to see you again, hopefully soon! Love, Dan
DeleteLove that post! I agree about the running theme of compassion and kindness. I thoroughly enjoyed being surrounded by so many wonderful people who truly are changing the world for the better. I saw you in sessions and heard you ask/comment. I wish I'd been able to chat with you. I've read your blog before and was thrilled to see you in person!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jean! Let's keep in touch and then make sure we connect personally at the next one!
DeleteI love this recap and definitely hope to attend one day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Angie! It was amazing!
DeleteLOVE YOU! -j
ReplyDeleteHi! I love you too! PLEASE stay in touch! XOXO
DeleteIt was so lovely meeting you! Every time we ran into each other was such a delight; I'm so sorry we didn't get a chance to say goodbye. Your kindness and compassion just show through everything you do. And I realized, like so many others, that I have totally read your blog - how nice to now have your awesome in-person-ality to attach to it!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!
Madeleine! Thank you so much. I was so glad to meet you and am looking forward to continually getting to know you better!
DeleteDan! I really felt the same way - it was such an amazing experience to meet so many people from so many walks of life, and to know that regardless of any differences we might have, we all shared the values of compassion and kindness. It was so uplifting and nourishing! I am so glad to have met you and your glowing smile.
ReplyDeleteAmey! Thank you! Please stay in touch!
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