Many people would like to think that we, being the self proclaimed most intelligent animals, are at the top of the “food chain. “ Just because we have the cognitive (and dehumanizing) ability to turn massive amounts of factory farmed animals into horrifically slaughtered dead meat within half a day DOES NOT put us at the top of the food chain. So therefore, I beg to differ with those people who’d like to think we’re at the top of this so called food chain.
My friends, I’d like to introduce you to the Food Circle, AKA, The Circle of Life. Mother Nature has provided us with all the necessary colors and tastes to transform our minds, bodies, and souls. The way in which we treat these gifts from the moment of discovery and ultimately possession depicts its future and reveals our character. At this point in time, our character as a society is fatally flawed. Hence, industrial farming. Industrial farming has taken away any beauty and oneness in the way we produce food and turned it into a commodity. Our society has mastered the art of exploiting virtually everything we come into contact with for the sake of “economic progress.” Industrialization has robbed us of true culture and spiritual oneness with our surroundings. Our culture is purely consumerism at its finest. We consume our daily lives with the constant act of consuming that we forget to pause and connect with one another and our surroundings. I am desperately seeking Susan (Susan being culture and a spiritual awakening and me still being the lesbian. Pun intended.)
Due to my desperate need to find a cultural and spiritual connection, I have begun to understand why people turn to religion and thus give thanks when breaking bread. The giving of thanks is never ending. More than a verbal acknowledgement at the table, it is the never ending consciousness and awareness of one’s surroundings. For me, learning about where my food literally comes from, whether it’s the pastures the dead cow on my plate grazed or from who’s garden my figs came, has not only connected me personally to the farmer, animal, and fig, but to the circle as a whole. This is a powerful reminder of how miniscule we really are and it puts into perspective the more important things in life. In my life, the breaking of bread has become the simple act of sharing my own awareness and consciousness with the people whom I care about. Food is the common denominator across the board, we all need it and we all eat it, but our perceptions are not all quite common; yet. My mission is to change that by simply giving thanks while breaking bread with whoever will sit with me over a meal. So, I ask you this: will you break bread with me?
