Guest column: If I were a woman …

By David Magallanes / Guest columnist

I’ve often wondered what life is like for women. It can’t be easy — not that it’s easy for men, either. But I don’t believe we men can ever fathom the universe in which women dwell. It’s not the same as our universe. In fact, it’s not even in any dimension known to man (“man” referring here specifically to the male of the species).

Recently I had the honor and privilege of becoming a grandfather for the second time. I saw firsthand the travails that my daughter endured carrying her son for all those long, agonizingly “sucky” months (things got really “sucky” right after Jonathan was born), and I had also witnessed what her mother had endured carrying her some twenty-eight years ago. I’m still in awe over the miraculous process by which we all enter this world. These women don’t even complain. OK, I lied. Yes, they do. Of course they do! But then we men wouldn’t only “complain” — we’d be frustrated and angry and “put-out” if we had this job!

How are we supposed to work in the garage when our belly is huge? Well, maybe it already is, but that’s not what I meant. How are we supposed to enjoy the soccer game when we have something kicking us from the inside? And finally, when we have morning sickness, how in the world are we supposed to go out there and do a man’s job? IT JUST ISN’T FAIR! And if I had other children … you mean I’m supposed to take care of them, too?

I think you see my point. We men can’t even imagine … and we often don’t even try.
But if I were a woman (I respect them too much to ever think that I could be), I would not only be concerned about my current issues, which are considerable for any woman, but also about my finances and my health down the road into the future.

For example, I would want to be investing, not only in stocks or an IRA or a 401k or lottery tickets (just kidding about that last one), but also in my calcium supply. Which might sound odd to men (not even on our radar), but it is of crucial importance to women. If they want to avoid the ravages of osteoporosis and all the agony, misery and gnashing of teeth (if they survive the loss of calcium) that result from this cruel disease, they will pay attention. Now.

According to Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, in her excellent book Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fourth Edition, “Osteoporosis is a progressive disease in which the bones gradually become weaker and weaker, causing changes in posture and making individuals extremely susceptible to bone fractures” (p. 605).

Balch goes on to clarify a common misconception: “Many people have the impression that osteoporosis is caused solely by a dietary calcium deficiency and that it therefore can be remedied by taking calcium supplements. This is not quite correct. It is the way calcium is absorbed and used by the body that seems to be the important factor, not necessarily the amount of calcium consumed. Also, the type of calcium consumed is important” (p. 606).

I’ve continually reminded (I won’t say “nagged”) my daughter about her need for calcium. For a young woman, supplementing her diet with the proper form of calcium requires the same mindset as saving for retirement: Do it now, contribute often, someday you’ll be glad you did this. I cringe when I think of what could happen to my baby girl after I’m gone, as she matures and starts facing the ravages of old age.

Countless women today are contending with this lack of investment during their youth, when there was still time to counter joint and bone problems — and not just with calcium, but with other nutrients and exercise as well that help us to preserve our vitality far beyond the usual time for problems due to “old age.”

If I were a woman, I would consider it such a privilege to be one. Besides any other vocation or purpose I might have, I would have been “engineered” to bear new life and to nurture it. I would have powers that we men can’t even begin to grasp. I would mentor girls along and make them aware of the awesome and unique power of the women that they will become, and teach them to treasure their specialness in a world thought to be ruled by testosterone when in fact it’s ruled by the hand that rocks the cradle.

Well, enough fantasizing about what I would do. I’m not a woman, nor will I ever experience what it’s like to be one. I can’t even live vicariously as a woman because her life is as foreign to me as the life of an eagle or a deer. I have enough work cut out for me being a man. Perhaps, along with my son-in-law, I’ll be able to guide my grandsons along in the roles, responsibilities and privileges that they have as boys, then men, and — if I’m lucky — fathers, and — if I take enough zinc and beta carotene and get really lucky — grandfathers.

— David Magallanes is the creator of his own enterprise, Real World Projects, a business primarily dedicated to building marketing business networks for the creation of affluence. In this pursuit, Real World Projects constructs distribution outlets for highly reputable products that offer a healthier life and a more vibrant lifestyle, as well as free training and guidance for those who wish to create their own similar enterprise. David is available for speaking opportunities. To contact him and for more information, you are invited to visit and explore the Real World Projects web site at www.realworldprojects.info

For information about calcium from the supplier of Real World Projects, click here; to order, use ID# RE97756.

Editor’s note: Please click on links on the right-hand side of the website or click on the Opinion link at the top of the page to see previous guest columns by David Magallanes.