About a year ago, I pledged to do a campaign for charity: water. I would've chosen a more adventurous challenge. I could've hiked Kilimanjaro or make art to sell. But alas procrastination gotten the best out of me and I had to think of a challenge I could do right there, then. 28 days ago I became a Vegan. There are thousands of articles out there detailing the experience of a person's veganism. But the lessons I've learned from being one has very little to do with health, animals or the climate.
Creating Empathy Out of Thin Air
One of the first things I've learned was about sacrifice. Sacrificing my cravings and my daily protein requirement (I workout). I'm raising money for charity, the least I should be is selfish. Turns out it's not only about me being less selfish but also about making other be selfless. It's hard to make people understand why they need to give, as natural as it is. It's not easy for people to understand a situation they themself has not been in.
Expecting the World to Do Good
Somedays I would ponder quietly, thinking that what I'm doing was pointless. Most of the time, I'm impressed by how giving people are. And that taught me another lesson, about judging other by not only it's cover, but also by the first few page of the book. I taught I knew my friends. Some are giving and some, understandably are less. Some would laugh and some would support. I'll be lying if I say that I'm not at all saddened but how I was being treated differently for trying to be good. But ultimately I cannot discount the fact that there are others who supported me along the way, both close friends and people I barely know. From others who gave up their birthday gift in return for a gift to my campaign. They say it doesn't take anything to be kind, I envy those who could do so effortlessly.
Seek Only to Give and You'll Receive
Which brings up another lesson, that in the end, my intention should be pure. It shouldn't have been about getting more likes. I should've not expected everyone to give. It's about helping those in need. The figures weren't meant to show off but to entice people to give more. Imagine the life of those being impacted. I could be proud for a day that I achieved the figure. But I'll be happy for a life time knowing that there are lives out there having it easier because of my action today.
https://my.charitywater.org/fitri-ali/28-days-of-planet-saving