I was at my son’s lacrosse game last weekend and while I love watching him play, it was two hours of sweaty teenage boys, burping, violence, injuries, and playing hard until one team won and the other team lost. In the middle of the game something happened that touched me deeply. One of the opposing players got hurt. While he was down and the coaches and medics were assessing the situation, every player from both teams sat on bended knees out of respect for the injured player. When the player was able to stand and hobble off the field, all players clapped for him. It was a pause for humanity! In the middle of this brutal game, setting coaches, players, and members of the audience apart, was a minute to remember that in the face of suffering, we are all united and stand together. I was so touched by this compassion that I felt myself getting teary-eyed as the player finally was supported off the field to applause from all of us

A similar thing happened at my daughter’s dance competition this weekend. There were hundreds of girls from all over the country dressed in their costumes, rehearsing, competing, winning trophies - the culmination of months of hard work and dedication. Inside the performing arts center, in the midst of the audience’s cheers and screams, it felt as if life outside those walls did not even exist. While on a break outside, we suddenly spotted a stray dog darting down the sidewalk, weaving on and off the sidewalk into oncoming traffic. A group formed very quickly of parents and concerned kids who immediately started working together to get the dog off the street and into safety. Jay and I are used to helping animals, of course, but what touched us was that the other parents and kids outside seemed to be just as invested in the dog’s well-being as we were.

In the end, both the lacrosse player and the dog were alright, but I was left with this idea that sometimes it takes a scary moment to remind us that no matter what we are doing, we can always pause for humanity, to help someone, or praise someone, or join together to lift someone up. So it got me thinking of ways that I can pause for humanity in my every day life. Can I pause in the morning and visualize the things I want to manifest? Can I pause in the middle of a stressful day and take a few breaths and center myself? When I see cruelty in the news, on facebook, or in the streets, can I pause to pray that my angels help me create a gentle world? This pause for humanity in any and all circumstances can connect us to each other, and ultimately connect us back to who we truly are.

This coming week, we invite you to take a pause from your busy day and meet us while we drive from California to Tennessee on our turkey road trip. Come hug our turkey, Adeline, meet my staff and me, eat with us, and become a part of our family! Below are the times and locations of our road trip “meet ups.” We hope we get to see you!

Come and meet Adeline on her way from California to Tennessee and cuddle a turkey; it'll change your life forever!

• Monday April 3rd, 3pm , Living Well Health Food Store in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
• Tuesday April 4th, 6pm at Thai Vegan in Albuquerque, NM.
• Wednesday April 5th, 7pm at The Loaded Bowl in Oklahoma City, OK.
• Thursday April 6th, 5pm at Mellow Mushroom in Little Rock, AR.
• Friday April 7th, 1pm at Imagine Vegan Cafe in Memphis, TN.
• Friday April 7th, 7pm in Nashville for An Evening to Celebrate Animals & Children.
  
• Saturday April 8th, 10:15, hear our Founder, Ellie Laks speak at The Nashville Vegfest
• Sunday April 9th, 10-5 The Nashville Vegfest

An Evening to Celebrate Animals & Children

To Benefit The Gentle Barn & The Nashville VegFest

When: Friday, April 7th at 7:00 PM
Includes: Gourmet Vegan Meal, Live Music, Meet Adeline the Turkey and the founders of The Gentle Barn.

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