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When I took a walk this morning, I started a bit later than normal (6:40), and it was still dark. On Saturdays, I sometimes walk to the high school and then walk along the path to the middle school, down to the indoor pool and then home. As I was approaching the outbuilding where coaches meet with their athletes, just west of the football stadium, I saw a car parked in front. Then a voice called out, "Hi, Al". I then recognized the person as a former student, a former neighbor, and a son of someone I knew from Central. I asked this current football coach how he recognized me despite the darkness. His answer was "I could recognize your walk a mile away." We talked for a few moments, and then I continued my walk. His answer reminded me of my ability to recognize Marcia walking toward or away from me up to 4 or 5 blocks away (or a mile, if I want use the same hyperbole). There are others that I often see walking that I can also recognize their walk before I see their face. Some of us have distinct walks, just as are our fingerprints, DNA, and facial expressions.
As I thought about this more, it made me wonder if I am consistent in my other "walks". Am I dealing with my children and grandchildren in a consistent attitude of love, acceptance, and giving? Is my language and demeanor consistent (and positive)? Are my attitudes and emotions, in dealing with others, whether in a classroom, a store, or a racquetball court, consistent (and positive)? In the spiritual dimension, am I consistently walking in a fashion that honors God and others?
A few verses from the Bible that can be relevant:
1 John 2:6: "Whoever says he abides in him [Jesus] ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."
Ephesians 4:1: "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…"
Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
In January 2026, while listening to the radio, I heard the term "gait signature". What perked my ears was the discussion of being like a fingerprint. Here are a few websites that may share some further information: Tracking people by their 'gait signature' and A Deep Learning Approach for Learning Human Gait Signature (a bit more technical).
Published 2025-10-25. Appended with links to related articles on 2026-01-22.
If you find any errors in the text, please let me know. Thanks. Contact me with errors or comments using hibbardac@gmail.com. [Back to the top] [About the author, Al]
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