Nicknames

 

Do you have a nickname?  What about the people you care about?  If so, did you give it to them?  I’ve had a few nicknames over the years.  When we were younger, my brother and I used to call each other by our names pronounced backwards.  So, Nodnarb always called me Itsirk and vice versa.  Since then, I’ve been called a variety of other nicknames.  One that many have thrown at me over the years is Nerd.  If we could choose our nicknames, I wouldn’t mind being called Bookworm.  One of my bucket list dreams would be to earn the moniker “Doctor” for my signature line.  My favorite by far, and the one that makes my heart sing, is “Dear.”  Of course, that’s because it’s the one Jim most often directs at me.

Nicknames are an interesting phenomenon.  Someone, usually but not always a parent, names us at birth.  Then, at later dates, others choose names that they find most fitting for us.  Do you ever stop to consider the reasons behind your nicknames?  My childhood nickname was simply a derivative of my birth name.  However, the others all reflect someone’s observations and perception of who I am, what drives me, or how they feel about me.  Consider the nicknames you have been given.  What do they say about you?  Do they reflect the insights you want others to have?  Perhaps they shed light on some characteristics that you may deem flaws.  I admit that Nerd is not the most kind term someone can direct toward another.  However, I like to spin it as the belief that I love to learn, am ‘stuck’ in books all the time, etc.  So, generally true.  😉. 

Unfortunately, not all nicknames carry a positive light.  Perhaps you’ve been given one that was hurtful. I would imagine we’ve all been there, especially during our teenage years.  Kids can be brutal!  What was your reaction to the less-than-complimentary words?  Being the recipient of such negativity, especially from our peers, has more negative consequences than we need to list here.  The important thing is that we recognize the power nicknames have to either uplift or to hurt.  Consider the nicknames you have for others.  Are they encouraging or discouraging?  What about those given to you?  Which do you love? Which would you rather shed?  Who gave them to you?  If they are names that need to be purged from your world, what might you need to do in order to change the perception of the person who gave it to you?  If nicknames truly reflect the beliefs of the designator, what must you do to show them the real you instead of the person they think you are?

Remember that those negative appellations are not permanent!  Each day, we have a new opportunity to earn gracious, respectful titles from others.  Reflecting on our words and actions, and taking steps to improve, will lead to change.  

Keep working hard, spreading light and love, and being uniquely you.  Thank you for each being someone I am glad to call Friend!