LESSON 11–Your Body is a Temple
When I first wrote this, Liam, you were only 46 hours old; so young and untainted by foolhardy living—unscarred by physical injury (except for your head—you tried but couldn’t quite fit through the birth canal). I looked at you in awe of your perfect little body (if 9 lb. 40 oz. is “little”?). I looked forward to watching you grow and seeing the man that you become. What will your body type be? How have your mother’s and my genes come together?
Today, as edit this, you are approaching 17 years old, over 6’3” and 220 lbs. You have grown and continue to grow—maturing toward manhood.
Whatever your body becomes, take good care of it. Treat your body as a temple. That is, respect it and care for it. Do nothing that will unnecessarily harm or injure your body. Eat and live healthy. Practice proper hygiene. Exercise. Be active. Challenge yourself but take intelligent risks. Be balanced. Practice moderation.
Be comfortable with your body. At times, you will feel awkward as your body develops. Be certain that you are not the only one who experiences this. You will have spurts of growth. You may at times feel too tall or too short; too fat or too skinny. You may feel unattractive. You may be insecure and self-conscious. Know that this is perfectly normal. Everyone experiences this—even classmates and peers that seem to have it all together. Accept who you are and seek to be the best you that you can be. Don’t let anyone convince you that you are something you are not.
You are a unique creation. No better and no worse than anyone else. Never consider yourself to be superior or inferior to anyone—only different. You are created with a unique Purpose and the gifts to go with it. Viva la difference!
Never let the comments of others trouble you. Maintain a neat, clean, healthy appearance. Be well-groomed and fit. Your body physique will probably not be “perfect” by media standards but know that the media are wrong. There is no perfect body. Magazines and television may promote one thing but look around you. How many people do you see that really look like this? Very few. In fact, you are more likely to see an image of poor health. Don’t accept an impossibly high standard for yourself. On the other hand, do not succumb to a lowered standard either. Don’t struggle to be anyone more than or settle for anyone less than the best Liam you can be. Treat your body as a temple. Treasure it. Care for it. Accept it.
Do not smoke. Stay away from tobacco smoke to the best of your ability—that is, avoid second-hand, as well as first-hand smoke. Smoke no form of tobacco, and don’t believe that smoking a pipe or cigar is not the same as a cigarette. Though you may not inhale as much directly, realize that you are creating your own secondary smoke. Keep your lungs healthy. Respect the rights of others to breath clean air. Smoking is not cool. Smoking is not attractive. Smoking is deadly.
When I first had the opportunity to teach a pathophysiology course to undergraduate sports medicine/exercise science students, it became obvious that tobacco smoke should be avoided at all costs. I told my students that, if they were uncertain of the answer to a multiple-choice exam question and “stop smoking” was a response, they should select “stop smoking”. In numerous (possibly, the majority) of health conditions, “stop smoking” is recommended in the prevention and treatment of the disease. I believe that, if we could eliminate smoking from the world, we would make great strides in eliminating much disease. Certainly, not all disease is linked to smoking, and you will find exceptions in apparently healthy people who have smoked for much of their life but be certain that you will be much better off never to have smoked.
Choose the foods you eat wisely. Eat a balanced diet and drink a lot of water. When it comes to diet, the simplest advice I can give is to eat foods high in fiber and low in fat.
Maintain a proper body composition. That is, carry only the fat your body needs and maintain good muscle tone. Your body needs some fat to be healthy. Note that even the body builders and fitness models you see in media are not always as lean as you see them. Too much fat, however, is as unhealthy as it is unsightly. As well, don’t go to extreme measures to have excessive muscle mass. Exercise. Lift weights. Eat healthy. Don’t devote excessive hours to body-building. Take no drug or harmful supplement to have a “perfect physique.” Avoid short-cuts. Train hard and train correctly—but don’t let it consume you. Practice moderation.
Exercise regularly for our health. Exercise for cardiorespiratory fitness. Resistance train for muscle strength and muscle endurance. Stretch for flexibility. Seek to maintain optimal fitness. Don’t let exercise consume your life, but don’t let life consume you and prevent you from participating in a moderate level of physical activity.
Don’t take too much stock in your outward appearance. Develop the inward man. Develop character and integrity. Develop eternal beauty—the beauty that radiates from the inside out. So many people are chasing a superficial beauty that fades faster than a springtime blossom. No amount of cosmetic surgery or makeup can hide what lies within. Vanity and conceit are destructive. Someone who has a kind and compassionate heart, however, is always beautiful despite age or scarring. Take care of what is on the inside. What is on the outside will follow.
Be adventurous but be careful. Dad always says to me, “Measure twice; saw once.” Don’t take uncalculated risks that can lead to bodily harm. Go rock-climbing or whitewater kayaking, if you like, but don’t act foolishly. Know what you are doing, know your skill and experience level.
Do not participate in self-destructive behavior. Avoid drugs. Drink alcohol only in moderation. Think safety first. Wear your seat belt. Wear a helmet (and wear it correctly) when you bike, rollerblade, skateboard, whitewater kayak/raft, rock climb, etc. Know the proper safety measures for what activities you participate. Life is not without risks—unless you do nothing. Any physical activity has inherent risks, but this should not deter you from experiencing life. Be active. Be adventurous. Be prepared. Practice under the supervision of a skilled teacher. Access the current and portage around rapids that are beyond your skill level—In other words, live to try another day. There is no shame in admitting that you are not ready to do something. Don’t let peer pressure to do anything that will bring you bodily harm.
Alcohol is a personal choice. I enjoy an occasional pint. There is no inherent good or evil in the consumption of alcohol. There is inherent danger. There is the potential for abuse and addition. Abstain, if you feel there is any possibility that it will consume you. Otherwise, partake in moderation.
Avoid drunkenness. Never drink and drive. I repeat, Never drink and drive!! Do not get in a car with a driver who has been drinking. Do not let a friend get behind the wheel of a car if he or she has been drinking. Call a cab. Call me. Better yet, don’t drink alcohol when it might lead to irresponsible behavior.
Live clean. Avoid vices, but also practice proper hygiene. Keep yourself well-groomed. Shower/bathe regularly. Brush and floss. See a dentist on a regular basis. Use deodorant. Wear clean clothes. Comb your hair.
Abstain from sexual relationships until you are physically and emotionally ready—until you are married. Yes, this sounds old-fashioned, but it will not only protect you from sexually transmitted diseases and having a child with someone you don’t love—or possibly do not know. Rather, it will allow you greater intimacy with the woman you marry. I will talk to you more about this in the next lesson.
Take care of your emotional health as well as your physical health. Avoid distressful situations. When life becomes burdensome, seek help. Life will have ups and downs. Share these with others. Don’t try to go it alone. Develop a circle of close friend in whom you trust and can confide. Talk to your family. Be open. When you are troubled, know that there are people who care.
A temple is built with mortar and stone, but it is also filled with the presence of God.
Live your faith. Researchers have shown that there is a strong correlation with health in people who practice their religion. This is more than merely going to church once a week. It is a way of life. Live your life for others and your temple will be complete.
Son, I beseech you. Treat your body as a temple. Live your life such as to maintain good health and to be injury-free. Avoid excess. Avoid that which weakens the flesh and the spirit. Do no harm to yourself or to others. Accept your body and have no distorted perceptions of it. Treat your body well and it will serve you well. Be active. Experience the healthful pleasures of life. Live. Live well. And, to quote Lance Armstrong, “Live strong.”
You have been given a tremendous gift in the body you have received. Treasure it. Care for it. Nurture it. Keep it clean and godly. Remember always that your body is a temple. Live your life accordingly.
Carpe momento!!
© W. Jeffrey Armstrong