The "Kiss the Ring" Moment

Throughout history, individuals that have managed to attract a measure of notable interest by the "establishment" seem to have a common, binding experience that connects them with others from varying socioeconomic, religious, academic, and professional backgrounds.  There comes a moment when said establishment presents a choice to the individual- one that could potentially alter the course of her or his life.  The complete context of this choice is never fully clear to the individual, but no matter what decision is taken, a sacrifice is usually made.

The nature of this sacrifice often depends on the position, social stature, moral and ideological composition of the individual. The establishment sets up a scenario that has the greatest likelihood of driving the individual towards the decision it prefers.  Sometimes, the individual perceives this choice to be easy.  Fame and fortune, fraternity, meaning and a sense of purpose- all for what seems to be a small ambiguously surreal cost.  The "soft" option.  The individual will dive in and learn somewhere down the line that she or he never really understood what she or he was entering into.

Other times, the choice presents a difficult, trying dilemma for the individual. The person is asked to betray his or her kinship, moral compass, ideals, and/or cause- or risk befalling a number of calamities that can take the form of social ruin, economic hardship, or threat of violence and murder.  Resistance is made to seem futile, and it may well be the case that it truly is so.

A "kiss the ring" moment.

One should not be surprised when a person reputed for speaking "truth to power" suddenly and inexplicably appears to be on the morally wrong side of a contentious issue.  People are fallible and such things happen over time.

Ramadan Mubarak

It's the time of the year when dates become a staple in the diet of those observing the fast.  Given my interest in health and nutrition, I was curious about the beneficial qualities of dates, and came across this article that highlights them.

What are your dietary habits during Ramadan? How do they differ from your non-fasting routine? As a vegan making the transition to raw foods, I'll be comparing the way my body responds to a raw diet vs cooked alternatives.