I watched the hive from the outside once

I stared in awe at the frantic and purposeful movement

The community there took no notice of me

And still, I felt a shift from within.

The price of honey on my tongue

Is a creature entrapped

Enslaved

The price it pays is greater than my pleasure

Which rarely lasts the day.

“Be like the bee” I tell myself

The smallest can rest the world on its wings.

Like pollen, we carry compassion forward

And cultivate goodness within all things.

The bee does not measure the contribution

Of the trees or its fellow earthlings

It does not seek validation

Or of its own accomplishments sing.

“Be like the bee” I tell myself

Step softly

Work hard

Be sweet

For others take notice from the outside

And step to the rhythm of our feet.

Gabrielle Sweetman

Ever thankful for the vegans, for the veg-curious, for the believers, for the fighters. Our movement is not just about self-sacrifice, it is about doing good for the sake of doing good – not for the recognition. Animals will never be able to utter the words thank you, but we do not seek that validation. We seek to live in harmony with our fellow earthlings, we rejoice in their freedom. Pouring yourself into the benefit of those who cannot repay you is the purest form of compassion, and the most rewarding. Like bees, the vegan community works hard continuously to make the world a better place. Like bees, we change the world simply by carrying our message forward.

Until next time,

The Vegan Brewja.

(Feature photo from WordPress stock image)