Less is More
When I was a teenager, I had a poster in my room with a quote by Margaret Mead, the author, speaker, and anthropologist: “ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” What I thought this meant at age fourteen, I am not sure. But I knew it was meant for me because I was going to be that citizen. I was going to change the world. How I was going to change the world, I didn’t exactly have a grasp on—I would be a famous author and use my money to mentor young people ( when I was a teenager, I thought if you had published a book, you were definitely wealthy; ah the naivete!), I would adopt so many kids, and I would spend every spare moment I had volunteering. After I left home, my room became my mom’s candy-making and supply room, and she asked me if I wanted the poster. I said I didn’t; I wasn’t sure if I believed the words anymore. What does that even mean, changing the world? She kept it up, and it remained there until she herself moved out, setting off to change her own world, unbeknownst to her, the clock on her time to do so ticking down.
I spent most of my twenties forgetting changing the world was something I wanted to do. I still cared, of course. I still said all the right things, but I didn’t do anything. I went to bars and read books. I listened to Whitney Houston on repeat and nursed a broken heart. I moved a million times and never made a home anywhere. I met hilarious, fun people that are still my people to do this day. But I didn’t change the world.
Early on in my advocacy, a reporter commented that I was “changing the world”. Was I? It seemed to me that I was just a very vocal, angry, grieving person who knew one of her strengths is disarming people and charming them into listening to what she had to say. In one of my interviews, I called my mom’s murderer a jackass, the kindest word you could call a man that murdered your mom, and there was a debate on whether they could print the word. I wasn’t changing anything.
When I became disillusioned with that quote, my quibble was with the word change; what does that mean to change something? Change feels so large. When we talk about meaningful change, we talk about houses, jobs, partners. Big life stuff. We don’t talk about rearranging a bookshelf, swapping out curtains, getting a new rug. Twenty years after I decided that quote maybe didn’t hold meaning for me, the word that sticks out to me now is World. The poster had drawings of the solar system, stars circling the planets. No wonder I thought that was unobtainable. It’s been many years since I have given an interview, but if someone told me I had changed the world now, I would agree. I would say that everyone I know has changed the world in one way or another. That’s what living is.
Jackfruit Barbeque
Two months ago, I decided I was going to give up meat for July and August. There was no real reason for this other than it was something I have thought about in the past and just decided to do it. I considered waiting until after grilling season, but it didn’t seem like much of a sacrifice if I waited until I no longer wanted to eat grilled chicken. I looked at it like personal recycling, but for dinner. ( For reasons unrelated, I also started working out more and lifting weights, and I regret to inform everyone eating healthier and exercising really does make you feel better)
I’ve had plant-based burgers, “pork” barbeque, “chicken,” meatballs. I’ve eaten more of my favorite foods—avocado, cauliflower, chickpeas. I’ve loved most of it ( If you want to try meatless, Gardein makes the best products). One month in, it occurs to me that perhaps resistance to trying to change yourself or the world is not because it seems impossible but because we are lead to believe the rewards don’t outweigh the terror of getting started.
Climate change is a big World problem that will require the Change of more than one person. But perhaps, a small committed group of us could get together and change things anyway while we wait for the corporations to get on board.
If you are considering going meatless, I’m happy to tell you about products I loved and why I’m never going back.
XO.