I stopped eating animals and their secretions when I fully understood the violence inherent in the meat, dairy, and egg industries and very desperately wanted to distance myself from it. I liken this experience to an awakening, because the lens through which I saw the world changed completely, and the fierce, unconditional compassion I had known as a child became quickened in my heart. It wasn’t simply that I had come to learn something NEW; it was more that what I had always known in my heart had become uncovered -- fully revealed. A veil was lifted, and I was awakened to my true compassion. I "became vegan." ~Colleen Patrick-Goudreau