What's Shaping Your Personality?

It was a bee’s knees. It got many open-mouthed and caused millions to wonder. Children couldn’t resist its flamboyance. Women fell head over heels for it.

And even men fancied it. Indeed, it was awesome!

Wondering?

You’ll soon get served. I’m talking about the Aaronic beard. It’s been relived century after century. Santa wears it every Christmas and curious children mob him.

Biblical Aaron perhaps wore the thickest and the longest beard ever on earth during the post-exilic period. His brother Moses carried it too. Likewise Grandpapa Abraham, but none compared that of Aaron. Of course, no one ever associates Abraham with his beard. He’s famously known for his covenant with God. Moses’ name is synonymous with the Ten Commandments.

Aaron was a Levi, meaning he was a priest.

In the book of Exodus, it says: “Anoint Aaron, his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests,” (EX 30:30).

But that priesthood role didn’t make him popular.

What made Aaron popular was his distinctive attractive beard.

So what's shaping your personality?

And how do you want to be remembered when you're gone? It could be the way you boom or how you carry yourself.

The Smithsonian has one of the world’s strangest artefacts at its National Museum of Natural History. That strange relic is the world’s longest beard.

And it belongs to Hans Langseth, a Norwegian-born American who immigrated to the United States as a young man.

In 1922 Langseth broke the Guinness Book of World Records, for wearing the longest beard. That beard measured 17 feet 6 inches long. Before his death in 1927 he made a final wish. That his beard is cut off (after his open-casket funeral) and stored for posterity.

His son complied with the dad’s wish, kept the beard for years at their home in North Dakota. ‘Jack’ had stayed in the box for too long so, he decided to hand it over to the Smithsonian for keep. Millions today throng there to see that beard. We all have something to show. Your little lamp could be the brightest light when it’s brought out of the box. See, where one’s facial hair has landed him.

Little things count. Indeed they matter.

When you live here remember to leave some memories behind. Memories that many will profoundly treasure. J J Rawlings is gone, but he will forever be remembered for his sterling contribution to Ghana's political history.

The eagle is known for its ability to soar and the snail is identified with its snail’s pace mannerism.

Usain Bolt is famous for his swiftness in the athletic discipline. Michael Jackson will forever be remembered for his iconic pop music. The Lyrebird is most distinguished for its great ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds for its environment.

Mother Teresa is remembered for founding the Missionaries of Charity- a Roman Catholic religious congregation, Lionel Messi for his dribbling prowess, LeBron James has made his name in the basketball game arena and my own ubiquitous Anas Aremeyaw Anas Ghana’s ace investigative journalist has cut a niche for himself in the field of journalism.

We all can make it anyway or anyhow.

You don’t have to be Oprah Winfrey.

You don't have to be Komfo Anokye.

You’ve got to be you. And the journey starts with you. Our Creator meant well when he made you and that hasn’t changed and it will never change. Be the servants who put their talents into use and got medals for being obedient. Don’t be like the one who hid his talent, for fear that he would be reprimanded by his master if the business failed.

Remember, you wore neither moustache nor beard at birth. It’s innate and you have to nurture it. So, let it grow and let it glow.

By Gordon Offin-Amaniampong