I had an interesting experience today

[Guest guest]

I would like to share an experience I had today. I hope you find it interesting. While I lunched at Veggie Garden, ten men in business suites arrived and were

seated at the table next to mine. These were big guys, well groomed and highly confident. Some would call them alpha males, but I never cared for the phrase. Their voices boomed so it was impossible not to hear their conversation. They talked about marketing Christianity to the DFW Metroplex and not at all in a proselytizing way. It sounded more like they were putting together a business plan and a pretty good one at that. I was impressed at their acumen. I am on friendly terms with the Veggie Garden proprietor and she talks to me sometime. While I was at the buffet, she told me these men were all Christian ministers, who sometimes dined at Veggie Garden. So I thought … What a great opportunity to market the Christian Vegetarian Association to them! But, the men were intensely involved in their conversation and it would have been hard to interrupt courteously. Plus, it is a little known fact, but I tend to the shy (you can stop laughing now). Seriously, I have learned to overcome my deficit through force of will,

especially when I must do the right thing and speak for animals. While I contemplated the best way to approach this group of imposing individuals, a non-AR friend came in and asked if he could join me. Over lunch, I told him my goal, but that I was unsure how to accomplish it. Being a guy, he advised me to say whatever my gut told me. And, then he left (no help there). Anyway, I had CVA fliers in my car, as I always travel with Vegetarian and AR literature. It pays to be prepared. So, I approached the minister’s table, put my hand on the back of the chair of the man I judged to be the leader and asked if I might have a moment of their time? They grew instantly silent and ten surprised faces turned to mine. I introduced myself and said I understood they were ministers. I explained I was affiliated with the Christian Vegetarian Association and asked if I

might share CVA literature with them. They broke out in effusive smiles and in one voice said yes, they would love to see my literature. I handed twenty five pamphlets each man on either side of me, who passed the CVA pamphlets around the table. I stayed just

long enough to observe their faces as they intently gazed at the peaceful cover of “Are We Good Stewards of God’s Creation? We are What We Eat.” Before I wore out my welcome, I thanked them for their attention and said I was placing about 100 CVA pamphlets near the checkout counter, if they wanted more. As I turned to walk away, they were all still silent and still

staring at the pamphlet cover. Who knows? Maybe they will put what they learned today about compassion into their business plan? I left feeling like Christmas came early this year. I thought about how much it pays to be prepared to speak for animals at the drop of a hat. And, to be flexible enough to speak to any audience so they will hear your message. It should not matter if one is personally a Christian, Jew, atheist, or none of

these. Whatever works to help animals, I always say. If you have a similar story, I encourage you to share it. You read mine. I would love to read yours. Thanks very much. Margaret Vegetarian Network of Dallas

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