Naming

Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species. If it exists we want to name it, put a label on it, and tuck it neatly into a little box somewhere.  That clarifies things -- to a point.

We have special ceremonies for naming and books that tell us the meaning of names in different languages. Our specific name for God tells others who we worship.

There is incredible power in a name.  Some people in the past kept their real name a secret because they didn't want to give that power to just anyone.  Our good name is important to us.  Families die to protect their names.

But what about those informal names, those nicknames, those cute, or not so cute, things we burden children, (and others) with out of love, or meanness.  Sometimes they are unintentional, but their power is not lessened by that.

Mommy's little old maid, Daddy's bulldozer, hyper, sissy, dumb bell, stubborn . . . each and every name we put on a human being affects them. 

I think it is important to separate actions from names and maybe even more important not to dissect people who are still alive.  Nurturing, bringing all the parts into a harmony and fullness that is uniquely one is actually much more important than naming.

Perhaps we should have nurturing ceremonies where we say what we will bring into a child's life instead of simply naming them.