Newsletters
From Spring 2007 Issue
We Need To Listen To Our Bodies
A positive mind can achieve remarkable results, but a body worn out
with facing perpetual horror and unalleviated gloom is bound to crack;
and mine has more than done it once. And I’m actually writing this while
awaiting a hip replacement. Yes, my mind would have me down at Dover
Docks one day and off to Spain, confronting bullfights, the next. But my
body says at 77 ‘James, I’m going to slow you down a bit as I don’t want
you to go to Heaven as yet: you see, the animals here need you around a
while longer’. Friends, long last, I’m beginning to realise that what
this casing of a body tells me is for my own good. Without wishing to be
in any way impertinent I wonder if you have as yet started to take
notice of what YOUR body is trying to tell you?
I’ve been actively associated with animal rights since 1968 and have
witnessed, first hand, many devout souls cracking up or else plodding on
in a most decrepit and unbecoming state. Yes, and I’m sure you’ll agree
with me that it does little good for our cause. There are those who –
because of a consistent veganism – should be glowing adverts for the
movement, yet many of them are dragging themselves along as if at
death’s door. And there are many others who – though they might be the
first to decry or pour scorn on animal tested drugs – are permanently on
the same, themselves, because of a host of afflictions from high blood
pressure to sleepless nights. Mind you, it would be a miracle if blood
pressure remained normal after repeatedly antagonising the police as
scabs. Yes, as much as it would be a miracle to sleep in tranquil bliss
after having focused on photos and cuttings illustrating vivisectionists
at work!
Let us never forget that Jesus, during a mere two and a half years
ministry, preached a gospel which later transformed the world. You may
ask: ‘how on earth could He have accomplished it?’ Well, He spent days
and nights apart from others in solitude and prayer; and – quite
paradoxically - much time in feasting, merrymaking and in associating
with some of the most undesirable of folk. The fact is, His life was
truly one of a mixed and varied diet, and I sense that much of ours
needs to be the same. We must certainly ‘work hard’ for the animals; but
if we are wise then we must also ‘play hard’ for ourselves; and
whichever of these we are doing, one needs to be fully cut off from the
other. ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ and we ignore that
old saying to our ruin!
As far as communications with our fellow animal activists are
concerned, let us talk of our successes, our breakthroughs and our
victories. And, as we do the latter – focusing with gratitude on our
achievements – then our feelings will be great and they will reflect in
our countenance. Reliable psychologists assure us that ‘one positive
thought is a hundred times more powerful than a negative one’. And, what
is more: ‘our thoughts create our feelings.’ Positive ones create within
us exhilarating feelings; whereas negative ones create emotions that
result in feelings of doom and depression. And whereas the former revive
and energise our bodies for further tasks ahead, the latter – dwelt
upon! – result in lethargy and a downward spiral most injurious to the
physical frame..
Why do I mention all this? Because the animal activist world
frequently has an unhealthy proportion of dedicated folk who are not
only doing havoc to the only body and mind that they have, but they’re
also passing it on unwittingly – through a downcast spirit – to others
within the movement as well. Consequently, we all need to assess our
selves – certainly myself included! – and ask: ‘Am I a ray of sunshine
to others (as my wonderful wife Doreen -who took the following recent
photo in Rhyl, opposing blood sports - always is) or am I a damp squib?
Well, God forbid!
Animal Padre's
