Tracing the family's roots

CEBU, Philippines - Is it important to connect with the family's roots? Of course. And it only takes common sense to understand that much is lost when the people of the family's past are forgotten. The past has much to do with the present, and learning about one's own family history is a major part in understanding who one is.

Knowing one's ancestors and where one came from gives him a sense of identity and mooring in this changing world. Many things are handed down from one generation to another, without one even noticing it. These are just there and, without even him being aware of it, are very much a part of himself.

For example, many medical conditions are hereditary. Knowing his family's medical history can alert a person to potential risks that, when known early, could be alleviated or remedied by a timely taking of certain measures. And, thus, these medical conditions may be prevented from passing down to the next generation.

Even essential matters like faith or political philosophy can be a generational thing. As it passes down through generations, it becomes emotionalized and, at times, reaches a point where it runs in conflict with one's own experience and view of life. At such a point, the person may go through an emotional crisis situation, which can spark a personality disorder to make his life miserable.

Learning one's family history is indeed a vital part in his personal journey towards the formation of his self-concept. During the journey he may be able to confirm something he had always wondered about. Likewise, the process may reveal something about himself that he never knew.

The life pursuits of long gone relatives can be a source of pride and inspiration for young people in the family. If not, these can present a warning or an important lesson, so that the past mistakes may not be repeated in the present. In other words, in learning his family history one may avoid potential mistakes or build on the achievements of the family's past. 

In a study, it is found that "28 percent of adults [in the U.S.] do not feel they know, or knew, their mother as well as they would like." It is unfortunate, for one is believed to be closest to his mother. The Filipino family is apparently closer knit than that of the Americans, but it is possible that Filipinos don't lag too far behind in terms of such 'alienation' within the family. 

Many young people today no longer know their parents' grandparents, perhaps beyond names. Some don't even remember names, while others don't have the slightest idea at all. And yet knowledge of one's family history is not as much about remembering names as about how far the family has come in its continuing story.

The family lineage is an accumulation of life experience past and present. The past may not be as crucial as the present, but it's important just the same. It is wise for one to want to learn about his family's past. The past, after all, is a prologue to the present.

Tracing the family's roots, someone says, is "to know our heritage and where we came from - and how our past became our present." The world today is changing so fast and young people may never know the lengths their family elders had gone to. Thus, more so that tracing the family's roots is important now.

It is human nature to want to know where one came from and how he got to where he is today. Interestingly, this desire provides a philosophical connection between the story of families and religion. For isn't religion a search for answers to the questions: "Where did I come from?", "Why am I here?" and "Where am I going?"

If the timeline of the family's story is inverted and viewed from the perspective of family ancestors, the present generation can be either what they hoped or dreaded of the future. And tracing the family's roots can prompt today's young people to work for either the redemption or the continuation of the past - depending on what they'll find. Lean Arnoco(FREEMAN)