It’s Working (Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like It)

Doubt

Sometimes it feels like what I’m doing is futile. I think: who even notices these tiny little 3 inch stickers? People (myself included) are stuck with their noses in their phones. On the subway, eyes are glued to screens. Even at the gym, people stare straight ahead with their earbuds in.
No one’s looking. 

Or are they

Of course, I realize this can be deceiving. I’m definitely checking people out at the gym, and I assume others do too. I walk around with my PLANT BASED shirt on. I place my bottle pontifically on the dresser next to the entrance of the gym room. I’m sure some people notice.

A small routine

For the last 4 weeks, I’ve been dropping my child off at child watch at the YMCA for 2 hours. They offer this service so parents can work out. I gladly make use of it.

She always brings her water bottle. With a few vegan stickers on it.
I never thought much of it.

A question

But after a couple of weeks, one of the caretakers asked me:
“So, you’re vegan? I saw the stickers on your daughter’s water bottle.”

I said yes, and she started telling me how she’s been thinking of cutting down on meat. They eat a lot of beef at home, but she’s been reconsidering.

Somebody was looking

That made me so happy. To have a grown-up, polite conversation. Someone approached me with curiosity. I was able to answer some of her questions and share my experience. 

I loved it even more because she had spent time with my daughter.
A perfectly normal, healthy, clever, energetic, and happy child. A child who defies the stereotype. I hope that, just by existing and being herself, she helped make the idea of veganism feel a little less foreign.

The seed effect

And now I wonder: for every person who says something, how many people don’t? How many see the sticker, or the shirt, or the bottle… and just quietly notice? Just because they don’t say anything doesn’t mean it didn’t register. Didn’t make them think. Didn’t plant a seed.

Quiet magic

It’s not futile. It’s quiet magic. And it’s working, even when I can’t see it.

If you’ve ever felt invisible in your advocacy: know that you’re not.
Keep showing up. Wear the shirt. Use the sticker. Let your life speak.
Someone is always watching, even if they never say a word.
Keep planting seeds. They matter more than you know.

It’s so easy to forget that we’re part of this world.
That we influence.
That we affect and are affected.
It goes both ways. Good and bad.
Doing something. Doing nothing.
Even inaction is a kind of action.
Not contributing is still a contribution, just in the opposite direction.
Everything adds up.
Everything matters.