Ever felt cabin fever?

"We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness."                                                                                              -Thich Nhat Hanh

Cabin fever is really an emotional issue.  You feel cooped up.  You need to get out and feel expansive and connect to the Earth.  If you spent your whole life in a concrete pool that is only a little bit larger than yourself, it would drive you bonkers.  Literally bonkers.  I hope to see this practice end soon.  I think this image highlights what's important to a place like Sea World.  I've never been there.  I will never go there.  And I hope you won't either.  Don't give your money to a place that harms others, especially when it is so easy not to.  I think zoos will be next on the list.  I think eventually, damaged animals will be kept in animal sanctuaries that will place the animals' welfare above making money.  And undamaged animals will be left in the wild.  I've been in the process of changing my behavior to reflect this.  I will no longer be supporting places that prioritize money over animal welfare.

Secondarily, if you support the notion that Human emotions are important and need to be taken care of, you must recognize that animals also have emotions that need to be taken care of.  It goes the other way too.  If you can recognize that Orcas should be left in the wild (partially because of the impact of captivity on their mental health), it follows logically that Humans have emotions that should be valued and cared for as well.  It's one big circle.  If we take good care of our emotions, it frees us to turn outward and take good care of others, such as Orcas, or homeless people, or any vulnerable population.  And the act of supporting others helps us with our own emotions.  Round and round we go.  But you have to choose to step into that structure and you do that by deciding to take good care of yourself first.  Please do that.