There have been numerous events in my life that I never would have consciously signed up for: some sad, tragic, heartbreaking, disappointing, hurtful, etc. But, if I could go back in time, there are very few things that I would actually change. Yeah, sure, you say: I’m rationalizing because I can’t change any events anyway. Perhaps. But, each of these “challenging” and uncomfortable circumstances has provided me considerable opportunities to learn, grow and more fully appreciate who and where I am today.
Our cover title says “The Importance of Challenge.” Well, this “painfully” hits home with me at this time. Hardly tragedy, but a major disappointment for sure, is that I’m presently dealing with a sports injury. You see, this set back is more than just an inconvenience—it has stolen my baseball season. Playing on my midweek and weekend teams feeds me on many levels: it gets me outside and moving, it’s my competitive outlet, provides camaraderie, and endless laughs—in a word, fun!
Thoroughly of my own doing, I have created, and worse, perpetuated this lingering, nagging muscle strain. It started the ONE time I did not properly warmup before taking the field. It continues because I did not heed caring advice from my coaches and teammates. I refused to be patient and sensible enough to just shut it down for a few weeks, allowing the injury time to heal. Not me, “I don’t need to be out that long.” That, and the fact I’ve never been 60 years old before. If I had exhibited just a modicum of patience (and maturity), I’d be on the field heading into the playoffs. Nope, instead, I’m reduced to scorekeeper and cheerleader. Next time, I WILL listen. Either that, or reverse my aging process!
We certainly didn’t “sign up” for the following Letter to the Editor. But, having sat with it for a couple of weeks, I’m glad it’s surfaced. For every reader who expresses an opinion, there may be a thousand more who share a similar sentiment. This is a good opportunity to address our reader’s concerns:
I found the article on circumcision (June / July ’19 Issue) very insulting to my faith as a Jewish woman. As a nurse I helped a doctor do this procedure… So what if the baby cries a little? It IS so much cleaner than having to explain to the child to wipe the SMEGMA out of his penis…if he doesn’t do it completely then he CAN GET AN INFECTION. This idiot who wrote the article is stupid and uninformed. Anti-Semitic!!!! This is a practice for CLEANLINESS and so that we think of spiritual things instead of just animal nature. Please Neil, be a little more selective in what you allow to be printed.
Grace B.
Dear Grace,
We’re sorry that you took offense to the article Circumcision – A Medical Ritual that Needs to End Now in the June/July Issue of Creations Magazine. The article is well researched and documented. Forty citations from reputable sources can be found after the article by clicking on “Current Issue” at the very top of creationsmagazine.com.
The focus, as stated in the title of the article, is on the medical issues and ethics associated with this surgery. Informed consent is vital to the rights of every parent and child. When a procedure becomes “routine” we often loose sight of this right and don’t question the status quo, even though there may be new information available or a greater understanding. An article on circumcision published in the September 2012 issue of Pediatrics states: … the benefits are not great enough to recommend routine circumcision for all newborn boys, according to an updated policy statement published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Smegma can occur in females too, building up in the folds of the labia or around the clitoral hood, but that is not a reason to promote FGM (Female Genital Mutilation). Proper personal hygiene is enough to remain clean and healthy for both men and women.
Creations Magazine reaches an eclectic audience of critical thinkers. By publishing a wide range of topics and viewpoints, our readers—who are interested in obtaining information which is not readily available through mainstream channels— are empowered to make informed, personal decisions.
Peace All-ways,
Neil & Andrea
