What is your name? When you hear that question what do you think? You probably think that it is an easy question that provides a simple answer, "my name is..." but would you believe that there used to be a different answer along with that question. “My name is…” wasn't always the answer someone was looking for. Before it became such a simple question "what is your name?" meant so much more.
When someone used to ask "what is your name?" they yes did want to know your name but also so much more. “What is your name?” was just the precursor to the truth that they were getting at. They wanted to hear your story, know who you are. They wanted to know your identity. When you claim your name you not only claim that name but that's claiming who you are.
Knowing who you are is something everyone struggles with day in and out. Some know from an early age while others do not. The identity of someone is unique to who they are and people only get to know it as they live their lives. With some knowing it early it's only because life threw something at them where they had to figure out who they were just to get past it. As everyone travels through life they will sooner or later know their own identity and it will solidify while our own name can represent it.
For now, there are some, a lot more then you would think, that do not know who they are. People would say that that isn't okay or right but I believe that is perfectly fine. We are still young and living life. We haven't fully lived a life as others who are older or even younger have. However, remember that as you try to figure out who you are, think of the identity that you would take with ease. Do not be someone or claim something that you would be ashamed of later.
Personally I can attest that I know who I am. I am apart of the group of people where life decided to throw something at them at a young age where they had to figure out who they were. As a warning it is not always easy to know who you are. It takes a lot to figure it out but something that is worse is claiming and showing it. I know many have heard the saying, “be who you are and stay true to yourself.” I know that you are probably tired of hearing sayings like that, I was too for awhile, but it's true. It will be hard to stay true to yourself with the generation we live in but it is possible. It's a fight but everyone will be able to do it one day!
When someone asks you next time "what is your name?" they most likely will be asking the simple answer that calls for the simple response. Before giving your answer take a minute to think. Think about who you are. Are you willing to say your name with pride knowing that this is truly who you are?
