BEAUTY Archives - Page 52 of 55 -

Playing God with Genetics…. or Bend Over and Kiss It Goodbye

By Simone Lipscomb | March 11, 2013

Today while driving back from Pensacola, where I shopped at a health food store and purchased organic and non-genetically engineered food, I heard a most disturbing story on NPR (National Public Radio). Emily Anthes, author of the new book, Frankenstein’s Cat, was being interviewed by Terry Gross. The story is truly a horror story and as I listened I thought….this cannot be happening! But it is my friends. It is indeed.

For you amusement, a tri-colored hogfish...oops...did it get released in the wild? — *For your amusement, a tri-colored hogfish…oops…did it get released in the wild?*

As I listened to stories of genetically engineered animals I thought of the Hunger Games trilogy and the freakish human and beast alterations that took readers into the possibilities of what happens when human arrogance and greed take over common sense and basic moral and ethical reason. My heart sank as I heard story after story of ways scientists are altering nature, sentient creatures, for our own selfish reasons.

Here are some of the things already done: Fish engineered to glow in the dark by adding jellyfish DNA; goats raised with human gene for breast milk; cat that glows; pigs that lose genetic information that causes humans to reject organs transplanted from pigs; cockroaches with mechanical implants (the Borg of the insect world); and the Chinese mice experiment.

In a lab in Chinese researchers are experimenting with mouse genes by randomly disabling their genetics, one gene at a time. They are doing this to identify the function of each gene and then breed populations of mice specific to that genetic deficiency so they can sell them to medical labs doing research on that particular medical issue. So far they have developed mice that are prone to tumors, mice that have OCD and obsessively bury marbles, a mouse that only makes left-hand turns and one that has male-pattern baldness.

For all humans prone to making only left-hand turns, this must bring a sigh of relief!

There was an experiment that injected pigs with human growth hormone to produce faster-growing, leaner pigs. The results were pigs that were riddled with human diseases…some of the worst diseases were arthritis, eye problems, and metabolic disorders. Ms. Anthes reports that the pigs were ‘miserable.’ I think the humans that did that to the pigs were truly miserable…miserable excuses for human beings. But that’s just my opinion.

Intentionally breeding animals with ‘problems’ isn’t a new practice in the world of animal experimentation but the Chinese researchers wanted to speed it up and so have elected to roll the proverbial dice with their mouse subjects to create little armies of mutant and highly marketable mice.

Is this a REAL, unmodified dragonfly? Look closer....Big Brother owns this one — *Is this a REAL, unmodified dragonfly? Look closer….Big Brother owns this one*

The cockroaches are being implanted with mechanical devices which are controlled with joy-stick-like devices. The US Defense Department is funding these studies. They can already make mechanical drones as small as cockroaches but they don’t have an energy source that lasts. By combining a living being with mechanics, they will be able to send the cockroach army into caves, into your home…wherever they want to gather information.

The number one problem on our planet seems to be overpopulation. There are too many people, not enough resources to support them and the population is projected to explode in another twenty years. These resources are basic and include food, energy, clean water…shelter. It seems money going toward these freakish genetic experimentations could be better spent trying to solve the problems facing the dwindling resources on our planet. So what if scientists figure out how to make humans live fifty more years? If there are no resources to support said humans and we have genetically modified mice and cockroach drones hunting us for food, who wants to be alive for that freak-ish nightmare of a world?

*What color would you like your cat to glow?*

Aside from the ethical and moral questions raised…(please…tell me SOMEBODY is raising these questions)…what happens when these animals are released into the wild? When the aquarium owner tires of the colorful, glowing fish and decides to just release them in the river or the glowing cat is allowed to reproduce with monkeys bred to snakes. Oh…did I mention they are genetically modifying species by mixing genetics of species. Did you ever watch the X-Men movies or read the comics? If so, you understand the implications. It has already happened in the movies and it wasn’t pleasant.

The infestation of burmese pythons in the Everglades will seem like child’s play once the mutants are released into the wild. I hope my ashes are scattered in the ocean long before this happens….but sadly it is already happening and there are no laws to govern it. And big countries that have sketchy morals and ethics are prone to disregard laws anyway….and no….I’m not just talking about China.

Crystal Clear

By Simone Lipscomb | March 10, 2013

Cypress trees at Peacock Springs State Park

This past winter I traveled from my home in coastal Alabama to Crystal River, Florida to visit manatee friends and connect with the beautiful energy of the clear springs. Along the way I passed several places I remembered from cave diving trips in years past. Such great times learning to cave dive in the crystal water of the Florida springs.

I reflect back on my first cave dive in Peacock Springs and remember writing about it being an underwater cathedral. It was like being in the bloodstream of Mother Earth. These experiences came after the first few times of cave diving. It’s not that pleasant to go back and remember the very first attempt or dives where equipment malfunctioned….like my old dry suit value getting stuck open just as I entered the Eye at Ginnie Springs and having to unhook the hose and flood my suit to empty the air that had filled it. That was unpleasant. Or the time my chest strap broke and I didn’t know it and every time I pulled forward through the cave it felt like my backplate and wings were lifting off my back (which they WERE) and it was hindering any progress I was making. Trying to communicate this underwater to my dive partner didn’t work. In frustration I called the dive. The next day when I went to put my gear together I saw what had happened. But I digress. I wanted to write about the springs and clarity.

Cypress trees, duck weed, alligators, turtles, mullet in the open water. And strange, small creatures back in the caves. I still have mud balls gifted to me by my partner from a dive he did further back in the cave. I marvel at their perfect roundness formed by the constant, intense flow of freshwater from the underground aquifer. I suppose constant pressure can make you more beautiful or dissolve you. I’m hoping to become like the mud balls–little treasures of beauty but a bit rough around the edges.

My SUP board and I floated in Three Sisters Springs

While on the second trip to Crystal River, a few weeks ago, I floated on my SUP board in Three Sisters Springs. It was quiet and calm with only a couple other folks in the area. Such a lovely place, a sacred place. And to be able to commune with nature there, uninterrupted, was heavenly….blissful. It felt as if my soul was unwinding, healing from the clarity of the water.

Photo by Ed Jackson in Akumal cave...I forget which cave — Photo by Ed Jackson in Akumal cave…I forget which cave

I’ve missed cave diving a lot.–the limestone tunnels of north Florida and especially the intensely decorated caves of Akumal, Mexico. YOLO…You only live once, as ‘they’ say, so I’m headed back into the magical tunnels of clear water. Soon in north Florida and during late October in Akumal. Where else would I want to spend Halloween than in an underwater cave in Mexico?!?

Until then I’ll be brushing up on my training and skills and dreaming of being submerged underground in crystal clear water. Maybe some of the clarity will ‘rub’ off on me.

The Flowering of Love

By Simone Lipscomb | March 9, 2013

“When a woman awakens to the beauty/power within her she will bloom as a flower she has always been and always will be.” Sharon McErlane wrote this quote as a message to women across our planet. Her words touch my heart and resonate with intuitive nudges I’ve been receiving.

We currently see discourses that are gridlocked. The US Congress shows us what no longer works. Trying to push and shove our way, shout our way or use anger to influence decisions is an outdated way to interact. We absolutely must find a new way–not just in our government but worldwide…beginning with ourselves.

During the past several months my journey has made me see my use of angry, aggressive out-of-balance masculine or yang energy. Wanting to heal and move forward in my life’s work, I found myself acting aggressively in my healing process. In anger I attempted to close my heart and mind with ‘pull and jerk’ moves. I actually thought I could force myself to heal by ignoring my heart, ignoring unconditional love patting me on my granite head…tapping at my heart.

A strange series of events knocked me out of my usual mode of operation and I tired of ricocheting against my self-imposed walls. I finally became conscious and saw how totally ineffective the old way was. It was the exact opposite of how I want to live.

Attempting to heal in an aggressive manner goes against the very idea of healing (shaking head, rolling eyes, laughing).

When my heart was given the space to open, I recognized the gentle yet consistent pushes I’ve been getting–focus on beauty; allow my heart to open, to flower; cultivate compassion, gentleness and softness. I couldn’t move forward with my work in the world until my inflexible, ineffective patterns were broken and released…then healed.

I believe people across our planet are awakening to yin energy. We are in dire need of it. Yin energy is receptive, strong, balanced, compassionate and is a container for love, a holding vessel.

Using balanced feminine energy doesn’t make a person weak and it isn’t manipulative like unbalanced feminine energy can be. And it’s not only about women. We all contain both masculine and feminine energy within us. We simply need to balance our fast-paced, active, aggressive lives with this softer energy. We need time to reflect and enter into a friendlier relationship with ourselves and others.

Flowers reflect the essence of feminine or yin energy in their blooming and unfolding. They are strong and have an amazing capacity to bring healing energy to any situation. Flowers make us feel better. So I’m focusing on one of nature’s expressions of the feminine to remind me to stay open, stay soft yet strong.

Balanced feminine energy holds the earth and cradles all life. This is what I wish to strengthen on the planet and within my own life.

Really Right Stuff

By Simone Lipscomb | March 8, 2013

My manfrotto tripod has allowed me to capture images in low light situations as well as images of myself when there's nobody around to squeeze the shutter — My manfrotto tripod has allowed me to capture images in low light situations as well as images of myself when there’s nobody around to squeeze the shutter and I want to remember that I WAS HERE! In Cornwall, Great Britain

My old Manfrotto tripod has been with me in mountain streams, in the Gulf of Mexico, to Bonaire, the Pacific Northwest, Mexico, in Mobile Bay, Cornwall, Glastonbury….and places in between. During my travels it has supported my camera in low light situations and thus supported the work I do.

*Sunset at Gulf of Mexico…the salt water and quartz sand just about finished my poor Manfrotto off….(sigh)*

Last summer nearly destroyed my work-horse tripod. I was using it in the Gulf taking photographs of the sunset. Sand and salt water got into every crevice until the legs sounded like a pepper grinder with glass in it when I attempted to adjust them. I took it apart after rinsing it and cleaned it but it has given notice that its days are numbered. Too much irritation from those pesky granules of white quartz sand. One too many trips in checked luggage handled by gorillas who work in the baggage handling black hole of airports (remember those commercials?).

So after much gnashing of teeth I have invested in a Really Right Stuff ball head carbon fiber tripod. Or I have ordered it. New support system on the way! The thing about these tripods is they are the best support you can purchase for cameras….or so they claim. Strong, durable, made in the USA! And with their support, the Nikon D 800 can almost turn flips panning to get those shots I’ve never been able to get before…just because of the incredible support provided.

A good support system allows a photographer to capture images that she can be in...where she doesn't want to forget the place or company — A good support system allows a photographer to capture images that she can be in…where she doesn’t want to forget the company or the place. This was taken at Observatory Beach on the western peninsula of Washington

Support. Isn’t it amazing to receive. The definition of support includes words like sustain, hold up, bear, serve as foundation for, maintain by supplying necessities. Throughout my life there have been definite supporters–believers in my work, my path. Yes…they have even believed in me when I haven’t. When I doubted.

My mother is such a support…a “tripod” in my life that has witnessed my first breath and lived through my cave diving, solo travel abroad and other exploits that have pushed her fear buttons. I really appreciate her. (And no mom, I don’t think of you as the old Manfrotto…smile).

There have been many others as well. And maybe there are taboos on writing about a former husband but I’ve never been one to follow rules. The support that Ray gave me throughout our time together was solid. He was a foundation for helping me gather myself up from a time, many years ago, when I had lost nearly everything. From the beginning he believed in what I came to the planet to do, even when I felt smothered in self-doubt. When my first book was published he gave me a framed copy with the words Dreams Do Come True printed beneath the book. I keep it hanging over my desk as a reminder.

Without support, this image wouldn't have been possible. Ray gazing into the night sky on the Blue Ridge Parkway — *Without support, this image wouldn’t have been possible. Ray gazing into the night sky on the Blue Ridge Parkway*

While the winds of change blew us apart physically, I know without a doubt that his support over a decade ago, and throughout our relationship, is what made the difference in my life. That is truly the really right stuff. And I remain deeply grateful.

My Life is a River

By Simone Lipscomb | March 7, 2013

Over a week ago coastal Alabama had 8 inches of rain in a short period of time. This created a great amount of water than ran into our creeks and rivers. The Magnolia River, where I live, was no exception.

After the high water subsided I wheeled my SUP board down to the little beach near the headwaters of the river and noticed quite a change. Brilliant white sand had built up on the beach across the river and on our little beach.

This might not seem like such a big deal but since Hurricane Isaac last summer, high tides from the storm had deposited large amounts of very dark, sticky mud on the beach so every step left feet or sandals caked with mud. It stained feet, gummed up flip-flops and was a nasty mess. That’s the thing about this tidal river–it is affected by whatever is pushed into Week’s Bay or Mobile Bay.

The beach where I put in used to be a muddy mess...now white sand graces the shore — The beach where I put in used to be a muddy mess…now white sand graces the shore

It was exciting to see that the old snag by the rocks had been flushed away. There had been too many close calls with that bit of debris and my SUP board narrowly escaped slices and gouges from the old, dead wood laying just beneath the surface.

As I paddled along today I thought how my life is like this river. There has been a lot of dark, sticky yuck that has lurked just beneath the surface for many years. Finally, a series of events brought these unpleasant, dysfunctional behaviors to my attention and I’ve been working to clear them.

A big gully-washer of tears from grief and sadness over what I have lost throughout my life flushed out of my unconscious in bits and pieces. The darkness was loosened and freed and the beautiful light within was brought up. I call it love…unconditional love. Like the white sand on the beaches, new ground has formed for my life. The old inner snags that hooked me have been flushed away and I’m left with clarity and peace.

Clowning around for the camera in Crystal River, Florida

There will continue to be tides that bring change and heavy rains that clear away the old but one thing is certain to me–my life is a river of love and light. I finally understand that. And so is yours. And someday, maybe we can have ‘inner rivers’ that are crystal clear and filled constantly from the Source of Life.