Some of us seem to be born with a drive to try to make the world kinder. In my twenties, living in New York City, I worked in a soup kitchen every Sunday for many years, just trying to do my part. Then I read Animal Liberation and learned about factory farming and the killing of animals for oven cleaner and realized nobody needed my help as badly as the animals did.

I am all too human, I don't always do the right thing, so how can I expect others to perform perfectly on the issues that are my top priority?

Giving into anger destroys the soul.

Remember that veganism is a compassionate lifestyle not a punitive religion. Enjoy it! And if the going gets rough, it's better to relax the rules occasionally than to give up the game entirely.

Mostly, I make sure to stay keenly aware of my own shortcomings so that I am more patient with others.

Animal rights is a serious subject, but I do my best to find humor where I can.

Some of us seem to be born with a drive to try to make the world kinder.