Dr. Mercola debunks the Agave myth

Shit, and I thought I was doing so well transitioning to a “low-glycemic index” sweetener. Little did I know that Agave actually contains almost TWICE as much sugar per gram as High Fructose Corn Syrup!!

Mercola goes onto explain in good detail — please ignore his soapbox style of delivering quality facts — why sugar consumption is such a key issue with our current American obesity epidemic. He also details, quite interestingly, the differences between fructose, glucose, and sucrose; and how they are each absorbed and processed by our bodies.

Man, do we need a nutrition primer in our schools! There is so much to learn and know, just so we can walk down a grocery aisle and make a halfway decent attempt at eating healthy!

Please checkout Dr. Joseph Mercola’s blog here: The Huffington Post: “This sweetener is far worse than High Fructose Corn Syrup.”

The Obama Organic Family Garden: Swimming in Sludge?

Below are my comments in response to this article: Read: The Obama Organic Family Garden: Swimming in Sludge? at HuffingtonPost

I don’t believe “sludge” is all bad…and frankly, needs to be dealt with, not avoided simply because its human feces.

Here on Maui we have a very interesting composting company, EKO Compost, that mixes biosolids from local wastewater treatment plants, with the amazing amount of green waste produced on the island. During the composting process, the mulched green waste is cooked with the “sludge” at high temperature for weeks on end to produce tremendously high quality, safe (the compost is tested daily throughout production), and amazingly fertile compost. In a show of true sustainability, from the biosolids and green waste (that all would either end up in the landfill or ocean), we get awesome compost that is reused to plant gardens and landscapes all over the island.

Obviously, biosolids need to be made safe for human use, but we need to start thinking beyond the easy conclusion that because its toxic, we should just avoid having to deal with it. Our biosolids and other forms of waste (from green, to food, to garbage of all kinds, to metals, electronics, more) all need to be brought into the equation to meet the earth’s need for human sustainability. Perhaps EKO-Compost’s example is one that can be brought to other parts of the US and world!

Here is my response to a question posed in the comment section:

HeevenSteven I’m a fan of this user permalink

How much lead do vegetables absorb from the soil?? That would be useful to know. Do some vegetables absorb more than others? Are there any that don’t absorb it?

Great question. Most “root” vegetables (i.e. potato, onion, garlic, taro, beet) are going to be the main absorbers of heavy metals and other toxins (in addition to nutrients). Fruit-bearing vegetables are going to be less effective at moving metals from the soil up into the fruit, of course depending on a toxin’s mobility and the type of fruit/nut produced. Peanut trees for example are particularly adept at moving toxins out of the soil and are often planted in order to “clean-up’ soils. Keep that in mind the next time you order Jiffy.

Alternative Health is Getting Mainstream Attention

Recently several articles have come out beginning to point out and draw attention to the benefits of alternative medicine. As the Obama Administration begins to tentatively approach the topic of reforming our healthcare system, keep on eye on these discussions as they will become more heated and vocal.

Personally I believe any healthcare reform MUST include advocacy and inclusion of alternative, complementary, herbal, “asian-healing”, and other forms of health treatment that fall under the general heading of “alternative.” This medical approach to healing must include the human, touch, emotional, mind-body, and patient history for treatments to become relevant, effective, and ultimately worthwhile. I trust we’re moving slowly in that direction.

Here are several articles that I’ve reviewed recently that I think are worth checking out:

The horrors of modern medicine, insurance, and costs of doing business:
Health System from Hell, by Kate Michelman.

Fantastic article by Deepak Chopra giving an overview of the situation:
Mainstream Medicine & the Oprah Factor, on Intent.com.

Recent Associated Press article on Alternative Medicine and its impact on hospitals:
Alternative Medicine Goes Mainstream.

Here are some other links that will bring you some awareness of other education centers, non-profits, and more doing work in this arena:

University of Minnesota, Center for Spirituality & Healing: One of a kind, educational center working with its medical and nursing programs to better understand the interplay of healing and spirituality!

Guaranteed Healthcare.org: Grass-roots organization advocating universal healthcare coverage.

North Hawaii Community Hospital: Hospital utilizing complementary and holistic healing approaches.

Are you thinking about Change?

The healing experience will no doubt be the subject for multiple blog entries (for years to come), but what I know truly is that change only lasts once it has arrived and been “ingrained” in the physical body (literally has become a part of our cells). I believe health is a “top down” access. This follows a step down of integration that starts with a our spiritual health, progresses to the mental map that orients our experience of the egoic self, passes through our emotional expression, and finally ends up as the building blocks of the specific body we develop (and yes we continue to physically develop from “in utero” to the point of death).

I will leave the “spirit” conversation for now as that may not afford you the tangible reality that the healing process is a true representation of. For most Americans, healing starts first in the mind.

The desire to change can be motivated for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the pain is too much, the body ache is overwhelming, the tiredness is simply not motivating, or the experience of who you are in the world is not a true representation of who you want to be or how you want to be known. These mismatches in our mental understanding of self point to the need for change. The trouble is actually a motivating force for action; and a “negative” emotion, actually is “energy-in-motion” causing us to feel the real impact of our incomplete self. This is not a bad thing … otherwise, how will anything change?

After a time, most everyone comes to realize that the communications they are receiving, whether from their body (strongest motivating force: pain), from their mind (strongest motivating force: frustration or displeasure with how life is, the thought, that something is not right here), from their relationships (I don’t have the love, trust, or friendships that I want), from their work (unfulfilled, angry, disconnected from who they are and what they do), from … well, pick your situation. The motivating force for change is different for each individual and must be personally addressed, realized, and (if warranted) translated into action.

Some people are more action oriented than others. Some recognize the value in needing to do something about their situation, others just don’t know that they can do something about it. Perhaps blame is placed on another, on work, on money, on life, on God, what have you… In my opinion any comparison to another (look at John, he’s so much more motivated than I am) or judgment of self/other (I’m not good enough) is simply a waste of time and energy.

Although I must add, even though I know this through and through in my being, it doesn’t change the fact that at times these simple judgments and comparisons happen to me too. Just because your mind wants a “pity-party” doesn’t mean you are a bad person. It’s best to find someone willing to listen to your thoughts and not feed them. The sooner you find a compassionate and loving listener who can see through the B.S. to the light in you, the better!

To support any change, no matter how difficult, the first and most empowering stance to take, regardless of the situation, is to look to see how am I responsible for its presence in my life? (See Ho’oponopono blog post for a Hawaiian healing practice that works with this basic premise.) Most people understand the old adage: that the definition of crazy is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Ideally, you will understand (when the time is right or you are simply sick of the results) that it is time to get into action.

Our mind is the most powerful motivating force on the planet (and on the flipside, it can also be the most powerful delaying, procrastinating, arguing, and discounting force) … so be aware of what you think and pay special attention to what is motivating your change in perspective. Where do your thoughts go? What do you feel as they arrive? Which ones repeat, argue with you, or wake you up at night?

Here is where that compassionate and loving individual can support you in overcoming the seemingly insurmountable hurdle of our own ingrained mental habits and attitudes. Be it a family member, friend, or most empowering a holistic health coach (therapist, mentor, teacher, spiritual guru), i.e. a loving individual that sees all you are and holds powerfully your capability of changing whatever you want … simply because it is your life!

Bottom line, if you are thinking about change, don’t keep it to yourself. Seek out support. Get a listening ear and share what you want. Take action by translating thoughts into words and you will feel what the best next step is for you. And if it isn’t clear, a proper support system will help to offer suggestions and guidance that empowers forward momentum so you can have all that you desire.

A Reason, A Season, or A Lifetime

The shared reality, or mind (or world) that is created in relationship with another person is mutually arrived at, dynamically changing (perhaps a sign of a healthy relationship), and is constantly being (re)created by the mutual understanding of who and what each person is together.

Of course, if one or both are “in fear” and not showing up entirely as they are … or if one or the other begins disapproving, passing judgment or boxing the partner in some way… than the world created between each is essentially inauthentic and lacking in love. Love, I believe, means a total acceptance of the other exactly as they are (and are not).

Total acceptance is NOT an easy task for either individual … and certainly a daily challenge as a human being walking around interacting on planet Earth … and all the more difficult when love, intimacy, vulnerability, and our hearts are on the line.

What about the idea of having one Mr./Ms. Right? Is there only one person, our better half, soul mate, “true love,” for us, somewhere, out there?

I believe there are many Mr. & Ms. Rights. Between the two people, there definitely needs to be that special spark, attraction, “gel”, love, connection, desire, whatever term fits best. So even a seemingly perfect match, without the “heat” will be a no-go. And sometimes the timing is not right. Karma is operating. Whatever…

What about Soul Mates? I believe, soul mates are perhaps a particularly attractive match that has had many opportunities (lifetimes of a variety of different relationship contexts, husband/wife, brother/sister, enemies, friends, what have you) to be in relationship together.

And sometimes, is just … Mr/Ms Right Now.

Regardless, what comes to mind on this topic of relationship is a wonderful quotation that I will offer at length, and I think is fitting whether you are in love or friendship:

A Reason, A Season, or A Lifetime?

People always come into your life for a reason, a season and a lifetime.

When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, or to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or even spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend to you, and they are. They are there for a reason, you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they just walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.

They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season. And like Spring turns to Summer and Summer to Fall, the season eventually ends.

LIFETIME, relationships teach you a lifetime of lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway), and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas in your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being part of my life…..

Copyright 2000 – Brian A. “Drew” Chalker

Breaking up is Hard to Do

Recently a friend wrote me sharing about the difficulty he was having during a break-up. I responded with the note below and I felt it valuable enough to post for all. May it serve you:

“I know how difficult a break-up can be, not to say I have any clue how difficult it may be feeling for you right now. I just remember my own upsets and remember clearly the feeling of wanting a person back, even when at the time of break-up, the voices (and feelings?) were a clear no-go for continuing the relationship.

It is often true about the old adage, hindsight is 20-20, can creep in during a breakup. Suddenly the problems, shadows, feelings, words, and incompatibilities are dimmed or forgotten; and the pain and loss of touch speak louder than the past.

Recently I read, in The Tipping Point, a point that Malcolm Gladwell made that between a couple (in my opinion, especially between a pair who have lived together), a “shared mind” is created. This is a mutually created understanding of the world, where each partner holds different facets of the shared reality. The strengths and foibles of each partner latches onto parts of the sharing; and thus becomes master of that/those domain(s).

When a breakup occurs, the shared reality is shattered. Parts of our experience are no longer held by the partner, forcing us to shine the light of conscious back into areas of ourselves that were formerly held by the partner. This isn’t fun. It is a deep stress to the body-mind politic. That which we entrusted to another is no longer handled. The points of security (watch-towers they built in the relationship) are no longer occupied. We are open to attack, vulnerable, and in my experience, questioning of our “Selves”.

This is perhaps the hardest part: piecing back together all the parts that were lost (and voluntarily) given away during the construction of a shared relationship. It’s a bit like amnesia. You’re waking up my friend. Parts of your experience have been deeply asleep…

And it may well be that this breakup was “forced” by those parts of yourself that were given away/suppressed for the benefit of the relationship. Be vigilant with your thoughts, feelings, desires, and visions. These are the parts of yourself waking up. This is the gold you have an opportunity to profit from with this change.”

Touch is the best medicine for relieving pain

An article in Prevention highlights that when we are rejected by other human beings, our brain registers it the same way as physical pain. An experiment conducted at UCLA tracked that when players were rejected by other unseen players during a computer game, their Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) lit up just as if they were physically injured.

The takeaway is that our brain does not know the difference between social and physical pain, in that either experience is potentially harmful to the organism and thus is actively avoided. In the past, when our human society was much more in need of each other to protect ourselves from the elements and other predators, it meant death to be rejected and ostracized from our community. Today that old wiring remains and gets set-off when we receive a social snub from another.

In my experience of working with clients, a physical injury can lead to long term problems, like limping, joint pain, splinting, and avoiding or limiting use. Similarly, emotional pain, whether experienced from their family, schoolmates, work, or other social situations, is remembered as painful and cause long-term effects and patterns. These individuals have learned that others are not safe to be around because they may cause them pain. This emotional pain pattern creates fear and expectations that have a dramatic impact on their ability to live freely and thrive.

It is extraordinary to think that both ends of the spectrum can make life unbearable for human beings: living without people or living WITH people! But it remains true that if emotional pain patterns of rejection, judgment, low self-esteem, and other negative ways of being get established early on, than the individual is left to suffer with the belief that people are not to be trusted. You can imagine how that affects their ability to feel love, safety and freedom in partnerships, family, work, and more.

Bodywork has the extraordinary capability of diffusing these patterns while affirming an individual’s sense of well-being and personal safety. In receiving consistent, therapeutic, and supportive touch, a direct communication is received by the deepest layers of subconscious, that humans CAN be trusted and that the client is worthy of feeling good and being accepted. It is a joy to work with individuals who are initially hesitant or even fearful of deeper intimacy and connection, who over time and consistent effort, find they open up “in spite” of themselves. Touch has an ability to circumvent the beliefs of the mind and interrupt thinking patterns that might otherwise try to avoid social contact and vulnerability with others. Touch speaks louder than any words as its impact and energy can be immediately felt and embodied.

Remember too, that as an infant, we are completely dependent on our mother to provide loving nurturing touch and connection. It is a deep human need to be loved, accepted, and encouraged by touch. In fact, studies of infants not regularly touched (say at orphanages) show that these children have delays in neurological function and sociability.

Consider the implications of the article biochemically (this is where the science comes in): touch releases endorphins to assist with relieving pain (it is exactly why we rub injured areas). Additionally, nerve impulses that send “good” feelings are mylentated and thus “out-run” the impulses that carry pain signals. In my experience of working with people of all ages and backgrounds, bodywork’s ability to leave everyone feeling good, safe, stable, and “grounded” in their body and over time in relationship to others is very effective, regardless of whether the pain is physical or emotional.

CranioSacral Bone Manipulation: Myth or Real?

I have found it to be an interesting quest to learn about how CranioSacral Therapy is perceived and spoken about on the internet. Frankly, I’m disappointed in the majority of the content, as few people are really taking the time to inform the public properly about the efficacy and effectiveness of this unusual approach to bodywork.

First, I want to clarify that how I think about and practice CranioSacral Therapy is in alignment with the original Cranial Osteopathic model developed by William Garner Sutherland, D.O.. The modern evolution of this early 1800s era approach to treating head conditions is the BIoDynamic CranioSacral and Upledger Institute, founded by John Upledger, D.O. models of CranioSacral work.

One of the interesting misconceptions I have noticed on the internet is whether CranioSacral Therapy “adjusts” the cranial bones. When I hear adjusting cranial bones, I have visions of bones popping, lots of pressure, and a wild-eyed practitioner inviting me lay on his magic table … and most uncomfortably, I think of pain!

Perhaps the general public has a different vision, but I want to make sure CranioSacral Therapy does not get similarly misperceived.

Note: In the coming days I will be writing a page that goes into detail about bone development, so keep on eye on my blog for its posting. At my heart I’m a body-nerd who loves the intricate and beautiful details of our anatomy and physiology.

In the meantime, I’m going to cut through some of the juicy details to the point: bone is born from and made up of the same tissue that bone is meant to support. Our muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and other connective tissue give birth to bone and are intricately interwoven into its formation. What this means is that bone is embedded in our tissue and therefore an adjustment only occurs at the points of relationship with other bones … the joints.

There is no space between our bone and the surrounding muscles, fascia, skin, etc. A bone doesn’t adjust its position relative to other tissues (unless it was broken or tissue was torn). An adjustment, in the chiropractic sense, is shifting the actual position of the bone at the joints between bones. Whether its our knees, hips, shoulders, neck, knuckles, jaw, or vertebrae, the change in position happens in their relationship with other nearby bones.

When a bone becomes misaligned its change in position places pressure on the nearby tissue, adding strain on distant tissue, and potentially shifting the whole balance of the skeletal frame. The result of a bone out of position can range from immediate and debilitating pain to a barely noticeable shift in the range of motion resulting in long term problems, like stiffness, soreness, imbalance, posture changes, bunyons, different leg lengths, inflammation (arthritis), pain, and more.

There is no doubt that proper alignment of the bones is necessary to maintain optimum health and feeling good in one’s body. Thank you doctors of Chiropractic!

We took a look at bone’s affect on tissue; the other end of the spectrum is the tissue’s effect on bone. Because the bone is a mix of hard mineral components (calcium, phosphorus, and more) and flexible connective tissue, its relationship with the surrounding tissue is complex. When the bone is first formed, during gestation, it is encapsulated in a sea of connective tissue. For most bones, a thin layer of membrane forms to separate the connective tissue from the cells laying down cartilage. This membranes also houses the developing nerves and blood vessels that will provide the living matrix of bone and connective tissue with its nutritional supply.

Later, in utero and following birth, the first-stage cartilage (the flexible, “plastic” bone present now in your ears, knee joint, nose, and ribs) is transformed and hardened into second-stage bone. The minerals that form the structure of our bone is laid in pockets of connective tissue that form the layers of scaffolding for bone. This mix of hard minerals and flexible tissue give the bone a very powerful ability to withstand compressive force (from the weight of our body under gravity) and a hardness that gives us the strength to pole vault our body over a hurdle 10 feet in the air.

What this means to CranioSacral Therapy is that the actual pressure utilized by a practitioner is very minimal and can be described as light, gentle, and soft. The force a CranioSacral therapist is applying cannot “adjust” the bones in a chiropractic fashion. In fact the force does not need to be heavy, because this work instead seeks to connect with the bones AND their relationship with the tissues. We are not pushing against bone to change the structure of the tissue (like a deep tissue massage), but instead nudging the bone within the sea of tissue it lives. The bone and the tissue responds by melting and gliding into a new position. The actual change in bone position is relatively minimal, but the effect of relieving misaligned bone pressure upon nerves, blood vessels, and nearby connective tissue is immediate and beneficial.

I want to highlight that this is only part of the picture. Because bone is embedded in our muscles and other connective tissue, these tissues deeply affect the position (and even shape) of the bone. The pull of connective tissue can pull bones out of place (at the joints). In some cases of chiropractic treatment, if chronic muscle tension is the culprit for consistant need of adjustment and NOT addressed, than the patient will continue to need the services of a chiropractor indefinitely. This is one key reason that I recommend getting massage and bodywork along with any chiropractic treatment being received.

In conclusion: because the relationship of bone and connective tissue is tightly intertwined, both a heavy or soft manipulation can have an effect on their proper positioning and alignment. Don’t underestimate the power of a gentle and well-trained CranioSacral touch and don’t overestimate its ability to reposition bones relative to techniques that use substantially more force.

Future blog posts will cover other areas of CranioSacral Therapy. I welcome any questions you may have and would be happy to tailor blog posts to meet your interest.

Masculine versus Feminine: Different approaches to Money

Recently I wrote a piece marketing an upcoming workshop I am offering with my partner, Jen Aly, called Happily Ever Now: The Adventure of Conscious Relationship for new couples and singles ready for a committed relationship. As it goes when offering training in the very material that we live by, our own relationship has come under the fire of a lot of growth. In particular, Jen and I have been confronted by our own life experience dealing with the ups and downs (and mostly downs of late) of financial prosperity.

Fueled by a fabulous workshop we attended under the juicy name Sex, Passion, and Enlightenment, I have had a whole new understanding of the difference between the sexes. And yes, not only are there blaring biological differences, but also differences in perception, thinking, approach to life, and so much more. And especially with regard to the conversation of MONEY!

Here are some of my thoughts:

The feminine approaches money from what is needed now. Cupboards almost empty, lets get groceries now. I’m almost out of makeup, time to visit the store. The wedding is next week, I don’t have anything to wear, I want to purchase a new gown for that event. Keep in mind, that when the money is not immediately available to address a need, if the feminine is divinely aligned she will “dance” her the money into existence, calling on the natural forces of the Earth with which she is naturally and bodily aligned. If she is not “resting” in her natural power to call the energy of the Earth plane to her will, than she will feel unsupported and scared, like the ground is falling away from her feet, causing her to “freak out.” Tears, moaning, and uncontrolled shaking scares the hell out of her masculine counterpart because he approaches money from a different perspective.

The masculine trusts that from his point of view, money and finances are a linear, one-to-one relationship. Going to work and putting in 8 hours on the job, leads directly to 8 hours worth of pay. If there is no money in the bank account, the masculine essence will look for ways to address that need by listing clients to call, objects to sell, and other brothers to mobilize into action to address the lack. He needs direction, action, and the world to meet this directive expression of his power. A man, unaligned with his masculine, will rest and wait for the money to appear, “hoping for the best” and isolating himself from the world until “the coast is clear.”

These differing approaches will place pressure on each partner to show up in the relationship to the best of their ability. For Jen, her masculine essence has been out of balance and she has been the one trying to do, make calls, write emails, and wield her masculine power to make things happen. I, on the other hand, have cultivated a feminine essence of trust, relying on the Earth to provide, and breathing to create clients and money. Each of us has been missing the fact that we are approaching the question of money and business from the opposite of our divine gifts. Because Jen was not coming from her natural feminine core, she has felt exhausted and her body has been calling to her with pain and discomfort. I have been feeling lost, without direction, scared, and unwilling to pick a path and stick to it. Together, we lost our spark, our attraction, and have been missing the passion we so deeply want with one each other.

Needless to say this has placed tremendous pressure on our relationship. Not only with regard to money, but with our ability to be truly in love and present with each other as the “shit hits the fan!”

AND we still remain focused on love! We look to each other to challenge our habits, to move us into our natural expressions of being, and to keep returning to our hearts and the spark between us. It is NOT always easy. And the tools we practice together are cultivated and honed under the fires of challenge, discomfort, and love.

Being in relationship … who new it was a path to enlightenment?

Moms Love Their Babies, Smiling AND Crying!

I love the NY Times website, as they have fabulous articles that are released on a consistant basis covering health, wellness, and of course, current and world events. My interest rests in keeping my attention on health related updates and I plan on relaying them on to you via this blog, so keep plugged in!

NY Times reports: Having a Baby: Infant’s Smile Works on Mom’s Brain

Research points out that a mother’s brain responds to her babies’ smile by producing dopamine. This is a neurotransmitter (within brain chemical) that facilitates the maternal bond between mother and child. This facilitation occurs because Mom feels GOOD when her baby smiles. The beauty of this arrangement is that Mom gets consistent reinforcement to love and care for her child every time that little devil gives her a smile! Note that the same sort of response that occurs when a drug stimulates dopamine, endorphins, or some other brain chemical to feel good. Nature’s beauty is that by the same arrangement that allows us to get addicted to drugs, Mom is encourage to bond with her baby.

The article made another passing remark: that release of dopamine was also stimulated when her baby cries (or as this study simulated, by seeing a picture of her baby cry). Plus, this same response occurs in women regardless if the baby is hers or not. I offer that this again is a natural maternal goal of motherhood – to respond to her baby’s needs and to make sure they are well taken care of. The idea that all women would have a similar response makes sense when viewed from the perspective that any living baby becomes the responsibility of all women to make sure he/she survives.

Below the cover of our docile, “house-broken” exteriors, humans are animals at our heart. Our brains very powerfully respond to instinctual needs: finding food when hungry, needing a place to live to feel safe, and chasing after the opposite sex to fulfill our reproductive destiny. It makes sense to me that any woman will hear the biological call to support and care-for ANY infant in distress. This makes sure every human infant will find the care needed to survive. Without this brain mechanism, a woman would not have the natural urge to take care of another’s baby and in case of a women’s injury, accident or death, this could prove to be quite a problem for her baby. The implied beauty of this instinct, is that female humans (and many mammals) are naturally inclined to take care of another’s young, whether born by her or not.

I love the biological beauty of how our humanity is actually run by the amazing interplay between biology, instinct, emotion, and human thought. Science continues to find the reasons why we do the things we do, but any mother knows that taking care of a baby and witnessing their smile is simply the RIGHT thing to do! Perhaps one day science will get over itself long enough to simply (and quietly) appreciate the beautiful mystery of humanity.