Understanding the Body, the Brain, and the Early Roots That Shape Who We Become
We all have complicated pasts. The life we live seems as complicated as the body we came in with.
Have you ever really stopped to think about the number of systems in your body, the complicated nature of their interface, the detail of each structure? The human body is truly a miraculous system. Take any part or structure, and the amazement keeps tumbling. Of course, we are all familiar with the skeleton that gives us form. Muscles and tendons give us movement with ease and grace. Sinew is an interesting tissue that connects muscle to bone. Without it, we would flop around and not make headway. Then, of course, there are the nerves that send signals to keep things moving and functioning. And I have not even introduced the brain, which is the command-and-control center. Then we have genes, of course. Did you know we carry genetic material from the past three generations of our family? That dream you had the other night, where you were in some strange place decades before you were born, was probably a scene from one of those distant relatives.
So, of all of these parts, which ones are critical directors of the show?
I used to think that my teeth were just simple, rock-like structures in my mouth, designed to masticate a variety of foods to help keep me alive. Boy, was I wrong. Your mouth, apparently, controls, influences, and impacts every other part of your body. Believe it or not, your mouth protects the health of your whole body. Suddenly, the dentist that you fear becomes a very important person for your future. If you really do fear going to a dentist, find one who uses anesthesia so you can take care of that mouth! The connection to your whole-body health is massively important.
You know what else tends to be ignored or discounted but truly counts a ton? Your early history! Infancy is not just something to get through. Infancy and toddlerhood shape and influence the rest of your life, emotionally. That sense of shyness that you get in new places could have its beginning in infancy. Perhaps being frightened by Uncle George on every visit was not so funny after all. Early experiences are the root for later behavior that blossoms unbidden. Think of early experiences like the foundation of a home. When the foundation is solid, you can build a complex structure to sustain you over the long term and add to it at will. If the foundation is not solid, the walls will soon bow out, the roof will leak, the chimney will separate from the wall, and any attempt to add on will be fraught with problems that will create more problems.
Your past is your foundation. Everyone’s is complicated, some more than others. The good news is that if you take your past seriously, get help understanding it, and truly grasp the connections between your infant/toddler experiences and your current feelings, you can rebuild and strengthen the foundation. You can choose to grow and change.
Your past is truly present. Get to know it.
Explore related reflections:
The Right Mindset blog
Seasonal reflections
Therapeutic approaches
Learn more from trusted psychology and health resources:
American Psychological Association – Child Development
Psychology Today – Attachment & Early Experience
Mayo Clinic – Whole Body Health
If you are exploring your past, seeking clarity, or working to understand long‑standing emotional patterns, therapy can offer grounding and support. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support insight, resilience, and meaningful growth.
By Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst
