I read somewhere that "living up to your name is everything." I never thought about it before. I always considered a name because I liked the way it sounds. This changed when I met my husband and we were preparing to name our son. My husband is from Ni-geria and names are given with meaning. The name is given with a wish for that person's life or to express gratitude for bringing that life into the family and what is being done by having that child. There is power in the name given. No matter what happens in that person's life, the person has the opportunity to be reminded the course that was charted and it makes it possible to get back on course when derailed.
My first-born son is Olukayode, which means God has brought great joy to our home. My second son Olaniyi means the wealth of God is full of dignity and is worthy of respect. Knowing that you bring joy wherever you go and that you bring respect and dignity sets a foundation for living your life. It certainly has for my sons.
Recently I sat next to a visitor at my church. After service we chatted and I[1] learned she has a three-year-old daughter named Malala. She was named after Malala Yousafzai, the human rights activist and the youngest Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. This mother was charting the course for her daughter to have a voice and the awareness she could own it. Three-year-old Malala is already living her name. One day her mother was having a conversation with her about dreams. Her three-year-old daughter told her that she tells her dreams what she wants.
I certainly learned something from Malala. Look at her foresight, her tenacity, and her spirit. Roadblocks are not a part of her reality. She is already a force to be reckoned with.
Both Malalas are lighting the way and can be examples for you to advocate for the good that you want to bring to the world.
Use your name.