Tag: OCEAN

Still Room for Hope

Still Room for Hope

CopyrightSimoneLipscomb (1)The morning began by a walk to the water before sunrise while the silver light of the waning moon still illuminated the sea. When the blue was still kissed with silver I stood, toes in sand, sinking into the soft substrate while warm, clear salt water kissed my feet.

In the quiet, when the birds were still considering their opportune moment to call up the sun, I breathed in the day.

CopyrightSimoneLipscomb (2)As dead pieces of coral tumbled and tinkled in the rolling water, small bits of colored sea glass glittered amid the neutral tones of sand and coral rock. I began collecting them, gathering them into my empty tea cup.

I bent over in my sea glass meditation, in a sort of salutation to the morning, and in a moment of clarity gained understanding. I realized how broken litter–human garbage–was transformed into objects of beauty by the constant motion of waves working the sharp edges and shiny surfaces into something new and beautiful.

Many sins humans commit against our planet can still be righted. There is still time for us to collectively turn the tide and create something wonderful and healing. We can stop the assaults, poor decisions and mistreatment we have leveled upon the Earth and all of Her creatures, the land, water and air.

CopyrightSimoneLipscombI smiled at the thought of a global awakening and realized the same metaphor applied to my life…to every individual’s life. The constant movement through changes and obstacles keeps refining us, inviting us to allow a deepening of awareness and an unfolding and strengthening of our talents and skills.

Each of us has the ability to become more beautiful, more effective in our walk on the planet. We can choose to remain broken or we can allow the process of transformation to change us into brighter expressions of our highest selves. There is indeed still room for hope.

Never Alone

Never Alone

I stood, softly whistling my best beautiful-tiny-yellow-song bird impression while the golden, feathered songsters perched in the tree cocking their heads, watching me. Such sweet answers they gave me. Such joy they evoked within me. Tears of delight filled my eyes as I opened myself to the day.

Minutes before, my eyes absorbed turquoise and indigo, a direct line to my soul. Whooshing sounds of waves pushing against the coral rocks echoed within. Warm, sunrise-infused air hugged me and played with my hair.

I would not trade this moment for anything I know. Alone but not alone. Never alone.

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Beautiful Ocean, Beautiful Desert

Beautiful Ocean, Beautiful Desert

The wind whips my hair as I stand gazing into the ocean. The hot sun feels as if it is baking exposed skin. But the layers of blue and green call to me and I surrender my mind to the elemental forces.

Perhaps it is the fierce wind that constantly molds trees and shore that speaks to me. Or maybe the indigo-turquoise salty liquid feeds me. Or the cactus that accentuates the rugged, rocky landscape. Surely it is a combination of these wild elements that calls me back again and again.

The diving is wonderful but there are many places where diving is excellent. No, my friends it is much more that beckons me to return. My soul finds a home here amid the dry, barren landscape that is filled with life…..and under the sea frolicking with eagle rays and mantas, dolphins and squid.

Perhaps the thing I love about this island is that it provides a perfect mirror to my inner world and gives me a glimpse into the tenacity of life and the unboundedness of beauty.

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Service, Gratitude, Beauty

Service, Gratitude, Beauty

simonelipscomb (4)Sunday at dawn finds me on the beach these days. It is my day to cover a stretch of shoreline looking for sea turtle tracks and nests. I go a little early to play with the light, the wind and water. It sets the intention of the week for me–service, gratitude and beauty.

simonelipscomb (7)I awakened at 4am with a dream of turtle tracks. So real was it my senses were activated…touch and smell especially. After checking email I dressed in my green turtle shirt, shorts and flip flops and headed to the beach. But even with such a vivid dream there were only human tracks, no turtle tracks, in any of our team’s assigned area.

simonelipscomb (13)Surprised was I that no tracks or nests were found, but so happy to be present to witness the beauty and commune with the sea. And then share breakfast with three other women who share the same love of the ocean and sea turtles as me.

simonelipscomb (11)We’re still waiting mama turtles and we’ll be here whenever you bless our sand once more with your babes. Until then, happy turtle dancing with your turtle ‘mans.’

Feeling Helpless? Here’s an Idea

Feeling Helpless? Here’s an Idea

simonelipscomb (9)It has been a rough 24 hours with really disastrous news for wildlife coming in from near and far. It is difficult to know how to stay informed and stay sane. But turning away and refusing to be informed isn’t an option. If everyone did that we would be in a bigger mess.

Of special concern is the large number of manatee and pelican deaths happening in the south. Over 600 manatees have died in the first four months of this year. The Gulf-side manatee deaths are being blamed on red tide, an algae bloom that is toxic to fish, marine mammals and sometimes humans. The cause is generally fertilizers being washed into the waterways after heavy rains and causing this toxic bloom. It is a neurotoxin and deadly to manatees and other wildlife who ingest it. Humans who eat shellfish or fish contaminated with it can also become seriously ill. Manatee deaths on the east coast of Florida in Indian River Lagoon have reached over 100 and there is no known cause for their deaths.

simonelipscomb (2)Brown pelican deaths in the Indian River Lagoon have reached high numbers and now they are reported on the North Carolina Coast as well. Lots of sad news indeed.

I have researched these events today and explored deaths of dolphins and other species during the past year. In Peru last year nearly 900 dolphins washed ashore with apparent sonar injuries. Sonar injuries occur in marine mammals from LFA sonar like the US Navy uses and sonar blasts used by oil companies in off-shore oil exploration.

simonelipscomb (5) copyIt felt like a puzzle being pieced together. Everything pointed back to human-created environmental issues. Over-fertilizing lawns and golf courses, using technology that kills, boat strikes. As a member of the human species–sometimes with deep shame for our collective treatment of wildlife and wild places–I decided to take action and made a donation to Save the Manatee. This club helps manatees recover from injuries and is a clearing house for information on manatees. I joined and gave an extra donation for emergency treatment of manatees.

I needed to feel as if I was doing something besides sitting at my desk, researching, reading and sharing about these tragedies. So I took action. And every time I volunteer for Share the Beach, or the Sea Turtle Stranding Network, or the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network I take action to help.

simonelipscomb (3) copyLikewise, I refrain from using chemical fertilizers on my lawn and garden. I don’t use pesticides inside or outside my home and support local and organic farmers. There are many practices that make a direct difference in our world. The effort required isn’t that much and the pay-off is positive change and community-building. TOGETHER we can create a safer, healthier planet.