a picnic with vegans

I struggle with unfamiliar situations and groups of people I don't know, and today was the vegan picnic held once a month in my area and I really didn't want to go. The thing is, I'm always complaining that I don't know anyone with my interests, and I really enjoyed myself last time I went, and I really want to make some local contacts and pick up some hints, tips, tricks and ideas for my newly vegan ways.

I had no food prepared, and was talking myself out of it quite well, until a glimpse of the whiteboard reminding me of the tenements for happiness (as determined by the happiness index people I think) - connect, be active, keep learning, take notice and give. Going to this picnic fulfilled this in a few ways, by connecting with new people and local community, being active, learning about new food and health, and the sharing of food.

Of course I felt a little out of place amongst people who were high raw, who didn't even eat most of the food it's taken so long to introduce into my diet, but I also learned a lot of things, got a lot of new ideas, and tried some delicious raw and vegan food that I would otherwise never sample. I have to remember that this is a new thing for me and I'm not going to feel really comfortable amongst these (welcoming) strangers for a while.

So. I will make myself go to every vegan picnic for the rest of the year. My happiness demands it.