Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Celebrating the beauty of ugly

In Al-Anon, I was told to make positive affirmations about myself. At first, that seemed fairly difficult because I didn't have a lot of positive things to say.

Growing up, I was tall, a bit shy and had a lot of insecurities about looks. Now I realize that how I thought of myself on the inside did affect how I projected myself on the outside. I wasn't particularly outgoing around others because I deeply wanted to fit in, yet my attitude proclaimed that I didn't care.

It's interesting how the criticism of my father was something that I took to heart. I've since learned that people speak through their own lens of character defects. And that not every word is an absolute truth.

And I've come to understand more and more that there is beauty in the strangest things. Beauty can be unconventional. So now I celebrate my own "beauty" both internally and externally. I appreciate the beauty of others, even when that beauty is unconventional…perhaps especially when the beauty is unconventional.

And so this serious discussion about beauty brings me to the celebration of a particularly unconventional critter. Today is Hagfish day. I know that it isn't one of those great events that many people know about.

But the humble hagfish is really an interesting critter. Here are some fascinating facts:
  1. The hagfish secretes a small amount of very dense, balled up protein when “grabbed” or startled. Tiny amounts of this protein are secreted through the skin, but can create up to 20 liters of slime nearly instantaneously as it reacts with sea water. It seems that the balled up proteins are REALLY attracted to water molecules, and once those bad boys get together they make a jello party. This slime can completely trap the predator attacking the hagfish and suffocate it by clogging its gills… which sets up the next crazy point.
  2. Hagfish have learned to escape their own slime by tying themselves into an ordinary overhand knot, and then slipping through their own knot to free themselves.
  3. Hagfish also have learned to use their slime for other purposes. In particular, hagfish are well known in Cape Cod for ruining fish hauls from trawlers. Hagfish will prey on fish captured in nets; however they don't have jaws or sharp teeth to cut into the tough fish scales. Instead, they have learned to swim into the mouth of captured fish, eating its way out through the entire intestinal tract and finally exiting where… well, where things exit the body. So sometimes fishermen will pull up a haul with several fish that are nothing but skin and bones. I knew that would make you wince!
This fish truly is an example of celebrating the beauty of ugly.

26 comments:

  1. Well, I didn't necessarily come over anticipating that I'd learn about Hagfish... I remember reading about them as a kid, interesting!

    I love what you're written here about insides vs projected attitude that others see, judging the "beauty" of others, etc. My first sponsor always told me that "other people's opinions of me are none of my business..."

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  2. Syd, I actually found your post and your link facinating. Umm, what does that say about me? I guess it's hip to be square. Lovin' some slimy Hagfish this morning! jeNN

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  3. I'm speechless. And definitely far more informed than when I first clicked on this post ;)

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  4. Holy hell, I hope I never run into one of those bad boys. ew

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  5. Well, I guess it deserves 10/21 as much as the rest of us.

    My secret: As recovered as I am today, I still wish I looked like someone else. Maybe anyone else.

    But, if God has a purpose and a design for that fish, I can certainly find some place to be useful in this universe.

    Blessings and aloha...

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  6. Syd, you are a treasure. And dare I say, someone doesn't have to strain to find your beauty, as they would a hagfish!

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  7. i've gotta love you syd. for these words that echo so deeply through me "how I thought of myself on the inside did affect how I projected myself on the outside" and for your thoughful caring and sharing... oh! and now i know it's hagfish day too. and i know what it is!

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  8. What a hoot! I've never heard of a hagfish but I love the idea of celebrating the beauty of the ugly. Very encouraging piece you have written hear. Love it!!!thanks!

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  9. What a facinating creature. It's funny how when the insides change, the outsides seems to change too. Finding the beauty in each one of us is all part of the journey. Great post!

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  10. You and Scott must belong to the same photo club! Maybe the hagfish is pretty on the inside???

    Namaste

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  11. OUTSTANDING post, Syd. So beauty is only "gut" deep, and Hagfish get out of their own slime like an Alkie gets out of a jail sentence.

    This read is well worth the time, as yours are always, but this is exceptional!

    Nature teaches us SO much...and I overlook it too much of the time...but getting better!

    PEACE to you and the Hagfish. The guys who haul up hollowed-out fish will not thank me--or you, for that matter.

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  12. Somehow I thought it would be much easier to read of one taking curlers out of their hair and putting on a bit of lipstick would have been the topic. BUT NO, I get hagfish. To me these suckers equate to squid for me. I use to Tuna fish off hyannisport, between the port and the island. I saw one of these once and was disgusted... ewwww... I know right... so much for the tolerations of all things. BUT Syd, come now... hagfish.... squid... not much of a leap. :O) Tammy

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  13. Hagfish are amazing in ther beauty and their abilities. We often overlook that so easily. I was told not to compare my insides to anyone's perceived outsides as my perception is cloudy by my character defects...this is a great post..I truly do thank you for it and the beauty that is always there!!!!
    G

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  14. Now I never expected that. You are a funny guy, Syd.

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  15. The hagfish is my new hero!!!

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  16. I swear I work with this Hagfish guy. He sits a couple of cubicles over.

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  17. I know you get sick of hearing this, but that was another great post! I imagine the term "hag" was derived from the hagfish...

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  18. I could have benefited by some of the Hagfish abilities at certain times of my life. :)

    That fish sure has some interesting gifts from nature - fascinating.

    PG

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  19. wonders never cease. i think i love the hagfish- nature has created some amazing creatures

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  20. OMG. I think I woke up with that one morning.

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  21. What a disgusting but resourceful critter. Like a lot of alcoholics I know. hehehe

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  22. I have not even heard of HAGFISH.. gosh it's a scary looking fish. I grew up being told it is what is on the inside that really counts. If we project beauty from within, we shine, TY for reminding me
    Have a great weekend.. TY for stopping by on my blogs. SMILES

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  23. I never even knew about that fish before but I can so relate to celebrating the beauty of ugly! Syd you write so well and bring important stuff to the forefront - I just really like reading you!

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  24. This is strangely fascinating about the Hag fish.

    As for finding beauty within that resonates outward. I'm slowly discovering that. I hated my deafness and made it more of a handicap to me than anyone else ever could. These days I'm realizing there is beauty in the silence. I see things and hear with my eyes in a way so many cannot. Some days it seems almost like a gift.

    And to think I used to think it was the ugliest part of me. (Hugs)Indigo

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  25. Thank you Syd. OUTSTANDING example about that fish. I like very much reading you, which is always soothing and healing.

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Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.