I clung to my vegan friends for more support than anyone because

In the words of Karen Civil, “I clung to my vegan friends for more support than anyone because they helped guide me and made the transition much easier. My family was a bit skeptical, as they felt like I wasn't getting enough protein in my vegan diet.” These words speak not only of nourishment but of faith, change, and community. They are not merely about food but about the transformation of the soul — the courage to walk a new path while the old voices still echo behind you. For when one chooses a new way of living, one does not merely alter the flesh but reshapes the very habits of the heart.

In this saying, Karen Civil reveals a timeless truth: that every transformation demands both guidance and support. Even the strongest soul may falter when walking alone, but when surrounded by those who understand — who have walked that road before — the impossible becomes possible. The vegan friends she clung to were not only companions of diet, but mentors of spirit, steadying her through uncertainty and doubt. In this, we see the ancient law of human nature: no one ascends the mountain without a hand to hold. Every journey of renewal begins not in solitude, but in shared strength.

In ancient times, when seekers of wisdom abandoned the comforts of the city to live in harmony with nature, they too faced skepticism. The philosopher Pythagoras, known not only for his numbers but for his compassion, embraced what we now call veganism. He taught that all living beings share a spark of divine essence and that by honoring them, one grows closer to truth. Yet the people of his age mocked his restraint; they said his diet made him weak. But Pythagoras grew stronger — not only in body but in spirit — and his teachings endured centuries beyond his flesh. From him, we learn that conviction, when joined with purpose, becomes a shield against misunderstanding.

The family’s skepticism that Karen speaks of is no stranger to any who have sought a higher way. For those who love us often fear our change — not out of cruelty, but out of care. They worry when we stray from the familiar, when we abandon the customs that once defined us. Their concern about protein is but a symbol of deeper fear: that the one they know may be lost to something strange. Yet the seeker must continue. The journey to authenticity demands patience — patience for oneself, and compassion for those who cannot yet see the light ahead.

To cling to friends in such times is not weakness, but wisdom. The wise know that energy flows between souls — that encouragement, laughter, and understanding are the sustenance of courage. The lonely pilgrim, no matter how resolute, may grow weary, but the one who shares in fellowship renews their strength with every word exchanged. When Karen Civil found her support among those who had lived what she was learning, she found more than dietary advice; she found communion. For guidance is nourishment of the spirit, just as food sustains the body.

The transition she speaks of — from old habits to new — is the essence of human growth. Whether it be in food, faith, or philosophy, every true change shakes the foundations of comfort. And in that shaking lies power. For the tree that bends to new winds grows deeper roots; the person who dares to change builds a new soul upon the ashes of the old. To embrace a new lifestyle is to declare, “I am not bound by what was, but open to what can be.” This is not merely the story of veganism; it is the song of all who seek truth beyond tradition.

Therefore, let the teaching be this: seek support in your transformations, and offer it to others in theirs. Do not walk alone when the path grows uncertain. Find those whose hearts echo your own, whose courage can mingle with your fear, whose experience can light your way. And when doubt surrounds you — whether from others or within yourself — remember that change is the forge of strength, and love is the flame that tempers it.

Take this lesson into your life: when you begin anew, cling to your community, not in desperation but in wisdom. Listen, learn, and grow together. The voices of skepticism will fade, but the harmony of shared purpose will endure. Walk your chosen path with gratitude and gentleness — and in time, your quiet conviction will become the song that leads others toward their own awakening.