The picture above shows a lion which is often labeled as a ferocious predator, which it is, but when not hunting it is actually a quite docile beast. A lion is often no different from that cute little kitty cat you cuddle with in bed; except for the fact that they are 3 times the size of your cat. Lions often get a bad rap for themselves, just like we humans sometimes get labeled in ways that we do not want to be labeled.

Our whole lives, we get given nicknames. These are pseudo things we are called. Some we may connect with, while at other times we don't connect with the name. Sometimes it is a derogatory term given to be used for us. I have been given many nicknames in my life. Some I love, while others I hate. As I am looking at the most recent ones I have been given, I can only think, "What if some of the ways we live our lives originate in keeping with these nicknames?"

For example, I have been given the nickname of Dad since I have come to college. Some say it's because I am very protective, while others say that it is because I am innocent and that is why I am called Dad. I can deny neither of these. I don't know a lot of things and I can't say that I am not protective. I usually don't mind this nickname but sometimes I feel that this nickname is too much of a label. People expect me to act in a mature and responsible way. To tell the truth, though, sometimes I don't want to or just don't act mature. I want to have fun, like the rest of my friends, and it disappoints me when I don't know something they think I should because I am considered a dad. But sometimes I feel limited in what I can do because I am SUPPOSED to act mature.

All I can say is please be careful with the nicknames that you give to your friends. Ask them if they are okay with the nickname before you start calling them that. You don't know if they will like it or if they won't. It could be detrimental to your relationship. I warn you to be careful in giving your friends a nickname and make sure it is not a label that makes them feel like they need to act a certain way.