“That’s a shame! You had such a pretty name.”
I had never really thought about it. It was a pretty name.
A debate popped up regarding who I was named after. My mom had told me it was a mixture of my dad and her best friend; a name they made up by mixing the two together.
Here stood a high school friend I had never met before, telling me I was actually named after another classmate of theirs by the exact same name.
Surreal is probably not a strong enough word to describe this moment. I was surrounded by people I had never met, who were openly sharing their disdain for the woman who raised me, at the funeral services of the man who chose not to.
They were debating the significance of a name I no longer had, and could never use again.
It had been years since anyone had called me by that name. It was actually very uncomfortable, a trigger of sorts. I had only just gotten to a point where hearing my given name didn’t bring flashbacks of all the reasons I had to change it. That’s the real shame.
“Yes grandma, it was a pretty name.”
Sure, my new moniker might be a little bit more ordinary; but that is by design. I picked a name with the hope it might match a couple of others in the phonebook; a name that didn’t leave bread crumbs from my life for those who would try and bewitch me.
“My new name is pretty too.”
The difference is, this name has real significance, it means something to me. Not only did I get to chose it, but I chose life when I changed it. My name is a reminder of the strength and courage I have held onto in the face of extreme adversity.
My new name literally means “The Truth and The Light of My Innermost Soul, My Truest Self.”
Every day it reminds me to honor my life, be true to myself, and let my light shine brilliantly.
The look on my face must have been priceless. I am not very good at masking my thoughts; in fact, I’m quite terrible. The sarcasm rolling around in my head must have been piercing.
“How could I possibly go another minute without knowing which of these strangers inspired my name sake, my identity?”
Oh, that’s right.
It was me.
***********************
Header picture is one of the views from the very first mountain I ever climbed.
Now I’m curious what your name is! The meaning behind it is very strong and beautiful.
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Thank you so much! Sadly I can’t share it with you for safety reasons. To learn more, you can check out phoenix falling postings, like https://freethetruth.live/2017/04/05/so-this-is-it/ or https://freethetruth.live/2017/04/09/how-to-get-a-new-identity/
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Understood. I’m glad you love your new name. Seems to speak for you very well through your writing 😊
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I’m intrigued! What’s the name, and who is the other person who had it? Very interesting.
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Sadly, I can’t share either name with you, but both names are mine (old and new)
For more details, I am beginning to share some of the reasons for the change and what it is like to get a new identity. Those posts are typically in the Phoenix Falling category.
One of the more recent ones is So This Is It https://freethetruth.live/2017/04/05/so-this-is-it/
if you are interested in hearing more of my journey.
Thank you for the comment!!
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Nicely written
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🙂 thank you!
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Choosing a new name must’ve been a life-changing moment for you…
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most definitely! Thank you for reading!
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It was my pleasure to read 🙂 wishing you the best 🙂
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Currently wrestling with a similar struggle…names are such a huge part of our identity and when there is a connection to pain it causes quite the battle within. Changing it can be freeing, yet fragment who we are at the same time. Glad you have seemed to find peace in the change.
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I liked your happily divorced post today! We should through parties instead of saying sorry. No one ever gets divorced because they were happy.
*Toast* To a new and exciting life, full of smiles and laughter, free of old names, ready for the next chapter
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Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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I like the way how you did whatever you had to do, to balance the odds. There is always the choice in our lives. Be who you want to be and live it up! Kudos!
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Thank You!
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You start with a beautiful picture and my thought is how can this be top. As I complete the page my question was answered, with words. A wonderfully written piece.
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Thank you for your encouraging comment!
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This piece is so powerful. You’re very brave, and I thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment!
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I love your cryptic style of writing, it has a way of drawing out curiosity in people.
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Thank you very much! Your comment is very helpful and appreciated.
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Wow! So well told. A pleasure to read. Kudos to the namesake…you!
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Thank you!
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What a powerful piece and beautiful header. The meaning of a name is always very significant.
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Thank you, I agree; I like your blog name.
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Great share!
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Thank you! I wrote this in 10 minutes on a piece of scratch paper at a school concert; yet it turned into being one of my favorite pieces with so much meaning to me. I’m so grateful you took the time to read it!
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Wow, it is fascinating, I enjoyed reading the content, Daodeqi! 🌹
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