Learning Me

For Wilshire Baptist Church

“Are you two twins?” The man asking the question might have been kidding, but I bristled a little before I answered. “Sure, we’re twins — born 25 years apart.”

I was sitting beside my father in the waiting room at a physical therapist, waiting on a session to work on a kink in his neck and back that’s needed some attention. Otherwise he’s as healthy as any man his age or even one 25 years younger.I accompanied him on the full series of appointments, and one day when he thanked me I said, “I’m learning about myself.” And truthfully, I was, because one thing the man who called us twins had right is that we share some traits: height, build, head shape, hairline, and now, hair color. And with all those similarities lining up, I’m interested in what we share under the skin, especially skeletal frame and musculature, so I was more than happy to tag along and learn about myself.

Each of us is made from a mixture of genes that come from our fathers and our mothers, and each of their fathers and mothers, and on and on backward through time. The growing interest in genealogy is leading many people to DNA sampling to learn more about who they are and where they come from. I might do that someday, too, but with names like Hampton, McIntire, McKenzie and Wallace hanging in plain site from the limbs of my family tree — and a fair complexion when I look in the mirror — it’s a safe bet my roots are buried deep in the British Isles.

All of that knowledge about the past is fine but only if we use the information to positively impact who we are now and in the future. A family medical history is only useful if you pay attention to the tendencies and risks and adjust your lifestyle accordingly. Just listening to the physical therapist, I’ve learned that I need to be more intentional about standing up straight, holding my head up, and sitting straight with my rear in the back of a chair instead of slouching. I already may have gained a half inch in height — or I may save myself an inch in compression in the coming years — just by following that simple advice.

Likewise, observing my parents over the years has taught me about the benefits of a lifestyle of physical exercise, healthy diet and continual learning and mental exercise. Going deeper still, I’ve picked up on the importance of spiritual exercises such as praying, worshiping in community and serving others. I’ve noticed with my parents and grandparents before them that even when the body begins to give in to wear and tear, exercising the soul can keep the spirit strong and ready for whatever may come.