All About You FRIDAY – What’s In a Name?

“I named my children after Hindu gods and goddesses,” my patient said. A busy mother of three, she admitted that though she still prays, she does not have the time to pray as she used to. “This way, when I say my child’s name, I am uttering the name of the gods.” She went on to describe her oldest daughter’s name, Aadya, means powerful and complete. Her son, she named after Rama, who represents virtue, duty and righteousness. She described in great detail the attributes of each deity.

In the Hindu tradition, a name is not just an identity. It is a vibration, a blessing and lifelong source of positive energy. And if a name comes from the Hindu Puranas, the ancient Hindu scriptures, it carries with it centuries of spiritual strength and divine wisdom.

I looked a few more up. Vishnu is a preserver and protector of order. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music, art and wisdom. Ganesha, Lord of beginnings and remover of obstacles.

“Do your kids know the meaning of their names?” I asked. “Those are some big shoes to fill.”

“Yes they do,” she replied. She said one day her daughter came home and said they were choosing nicknames at school and she wanted to be called Rainbow. “No, no, no. Your name is not Rainbow. Rainbow is included in the meaning of your name. You will be called by your whole name,” she instructed. Her daughter might not understand right now, but one day I believe she will appreciate her mother’s guidance.

“All I want is for my kids to grow up and be good humans. If they live up to their names, I will be so joyful. But even now when other people call out their names, they too will receive a blessing.”

Her face was glowing with pride when she made that statement. Not only was she raising three beautiful children, but she planned them to be a blessing to the world from the moment they were born.

“I was named after the midwife that delivered me,” I shared with her. My mom went into labor and barely made it into the hospital. I was crowning as she was being pushed in a wheelchair into the ER. The doctor didn’t make it in time to deliver me. Instead, I was delivered by a midwife and her name was Sherry. My mom was so grateful for my safe delivery that I became her namesake.

“I love that story!” my patient exclaimed.

“It’s a great story,” I agreed, “but when I grew up I checked on the meaning of my name and it means ‘dry'” I said with a frown. “Nothing exciting about that.”

“Dry,” my patient pondered. “Like the Sherry wine that we cook with. Did you know cooking with that wine enhances the flavor of the meal without changing it’s taste?” she said excitedly.

I smiled at her effort to bring positivity to my name.

“Sherry, we need dry,” she urged on feeling my skepticism, “If everything is always moist, you get mold. Dry is good!” she added triumphantly.

I’m laughing as I type this, picturing her waving her arms in the air and eyes wide with excitement. But I have to admit, after she said that, I stood a few inches taller. Yes. She is right. I am Sherry, Enhancer of Flavor and Preventer of Mold. The world DOES need me!

Maybe there is something to knowing the story or meaning behind your name. When we think about the love that brought us into existence and the hope that was launched on the day we were born, hope for a bright future and a purpose, maybe that changes the way we face our day and move about in this world. Imagine if every time someone says your name, they feel blessed. Maybe we should think about that and act accordingly.

It’s been a long week. Don’t forget to celebrate.

Until next time…