Wouldn't it be wonderful if the world's people individually and collectively exhibited more love and respect for the lives of others?

All Saints' Day

For many Roman Catholics (and some other Christians) All Saints' Day is a holy day observed religiously each year. For more information about observances of this day, you may desire to read an article such as "All Saints" or "The Meaning and Origin of All Saints Day."

While I am a Christian, I do not formally observe All Saints' Day in the way that many Roman Catholics (and some other Christians) do.

But even for those of us who do not formally observe All Saints' Day as a religious holiday, it might be nice to take time to reflect upon individuals we have personally known who seemed to devote their lives to loving service for others. Such persons certainly are "saints" in a sense. And most of us likely know of at least one.

Why not take this day as a day to start living our own lives in a more compassionate, caring, loving, unselfish way?

World Vegan Day and Vegan Diets

I find it appropriate that World Vegan Day is celebrated on All Saints' Day (November 1). It seems saintly to show love and respect for animals by eating a vegan diet.

Personally, I began seeking to adhere to a vegan diet a few years ago. It can be a healthier diet for humans, in addition to being more humane to animals.

The variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, etc., that are available in many supermarkets enable vegans to eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet when supplemented by a few things, such as a source of vitamin B-12 (enriched soymilk, enriched cereals, a multivitamin, etc.) and a source of Omega-3 fatty acids (such as ground flaxseeds, raw walnuts, etc.).

But I am not a medical professional or a dietician, so I cannot give medical advice or dietary advice. More information on vegan diets is available from numerous sources, including a lengthy American Dietetic Association article on vegetarian and vegan diets, and the webmd.com article "Vegetarian Diets – How can vegetarians eat a balanced diet?"

World Vegan Day, beginning in 1994, has been celebrated each year on November 1. More information about World Vegan Day is available from other sources such as the Wikipedia article "World Vegan Day" and on the website worldveganday.org.

Summary

November 1 (or any day for that matter) is a great day to renounce all known wrongdoing in one's life, and to seek to live righteously as a "saint." Becoming a vegan can be a step toward that goal. And, remember that even a person who is not overtly religious can benefit from living a moral life that demonstrates love for all. We cannot achieve perfection. But as we come closer to it, we can make the world a better place and make ourselves happier and healthier, too.