The Power of a Name   

 

Names are the sweetest and most important sound

in any language.

                                       Dale Carnegie

 

I Have a Name

My name is my claim to a place in this world.

My name is sacred. It carries my identity and my heritage.

My name declares my presence as a worthy member of the human family.

It speaks of the unique gifts that I brought with me

when I emerged from the mystery which is my source.

When you say my name, you validate my existence.

You honor my uniqueness.

You welcome me into your life.

 

Honoring Each Person that We Meet

Asking someone’s name is a way of acknowledging them. A nurse who takes care of you in the doctor’s office. A check out person in a store. A stranger who is kind to you.

Some of us are not good at remembering names, but it’s easy to say, “It’s good to see you again.”  That greeting acknowledges them. Then, often I will say, “Please remind me of your name.” For me, it may take two or three times. That’s ok. People will appreciate that you want to remember their name.

Larry has an easy way of connecting with people. He learns their names, and, after several encounters, he also hears some of their stories. Once a connection is made, people sense who they can open up to.

In the grocery store, he greets several of the regular staff by name, and they respond in kind. He often compliments the woman who arranges the flowers for the attractive display she created, and he greets others with a comment of appreciation.

That is easy for most of us, but we often don’t take the time to acknowledge the people we see working around us. Knowing their name strengthens the connection and the pleasure of the encounter for both of us.

Connecting with people we don’t normally encounter in our daily lives may be even more rewarding. We learned this as we began meeting men and women who were experiencing homelessness.

When we first became a part of the Haywood Street Community in Asheville, we discovered an unexpected sense of kinship. We were in a place where all were welcomed and recognized as having value.

When eating a meal at the Welcome Table, we introduced ourselves and learned each person’s name. It was a way to declare our presence and to welcome theirs.

As we sat at a table together and shared food, sometimes there was not much conversation. A simple inquiry of “How are you doing” might open the door to further conversation.“Where did you sleep last night?” often led to a response that brought the reality of their daily life home to us in a powerful way.

Many became friends– not just another stranger among many, but an individual with a life story and often deep wounds that they did not talk about. Those who did not speak much knew that we recognized them and cared enough to know their name. Even a smile and a greeting across the table is a connection – and it welcomes people into your day.

We all have a place in the world.

 Let’s practice the kindness of greeting each other by name. When we see others whom we have not yet met, let’s remember that they, too, have a name, and they also belong here.           

This takes us one step closer to the world we all want to live in.

 

What are your thoughts?  Please leave a comment below.

 

Help us spread the message of kindness.

If you know others who might appreciate these ideas, please share below.

 

We’re grateful that you are on this journey with us.

With love from our hearts to yours,

Pat and Larry