Whats in a Name ?

What's In a Name?

How often have you thought about the name that you were given? Do you know what your name means? Have you lived up to the wonderful meaning of your name?

I haven't given much thought to my name in a long time until recently. For several reasons, my name is giving me a lot of respect in this community that I've joined. I think it's so ironic that something so simple, as ones name, can give you a leg up or potentially initially harm ones' reputation.

Think of these names, and what comes to mind?

Hilton,
Diana,
Madonna,
Oprah,
Kennedy,
Clinton,
Bush,
Jackson,and
Jennings

Just the name Jennings.. (AKA: Peter Jennings), is now reminding all of the smokers that their lungs are quite possibly getting sicker and sicker every day. I just heard this morning that Peter Jennings death is waking up smokers all over the country about the dangers of smoking or being a former smoker.

How about the other names? It's a mix of first and last names, and every one of them will bring up images in your mind of a person, an event, and of course, a reputation.

How about your name? Are you doing everything you can to give your name a good reputation? Are you living up to the dreams and aspirations of your forefathers? Are you a living example of all of the hard work that your parents and grandparents and those before them struggled for all of their lives?

Coming back to Florida and seeing how everyone I meet has such intense respect for my family helps me want to live up to their expectations. I see it as a challenge and as an honor that has been bestowed upon me. Its like a gift that I didn't deserve by my own works.

Before now, My name Mary Gardner meant little more than how I told people to remember me: "Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your GARDNER grow?" But now, the GARDNER name has significance; at the school, at the church and in the community. My first name Mary also holds special sentiments around the Catholic church that I now attend. It's special. And somehow, for the first time, it makes ME feel special. And I believe it's changing me, for the better.

Now I feel like I want to be more poised. I want to gain more spiritual insight and wisdom. I want to be able to serve people more. I want to be a better parent. I want to be a better wife. I want to be a better friend. I want to help the community at large.

Living up to the stellar reputation that my parents and my relatives have created is going to take a lifetime of commitment and of service. But I've seen people seeking fame or fortune become lonely and bitter in their old age. I see now what my future holds. If I can manage to do a tenth of what my parents and family has done for others, then I will be making a difference in other peoples' lives. I'll be contributing to the community and helping build stronger people, mentally, physically and spiritually.

Names don't tell everything. But they do tell something. They give us a starting point. They give us something to live up to or to live down. If you are one of the lucky ones who have a name to live up to, then strive to continue that fine reputation that has been started. If you aren't so lucky that you've been given a name that has to be lived down, then do whatever you can to make YOUR name shine like sterling, so no man can find fault with you, regardless of your family.

What's in a name? That's entirely up to you. Your name; Your reputation, It's up to you.

Your name is what you make it?Make it matter.

To learn more about Mary go to: http://www.marygardner.com/

Mary Gardner is an Executive Communications Consultant and Coach. She works with, coaches and trains individuals, sales teams, executives, and celebrities. She enjoys seeing the best come out in people and has fun in the process. Mary is married to Sway and is mommy to Jeremy 5 and lives in Orlando, FL.

---

Did Your Personality Choose Your Career?

We almost all think we are masters of our own... Read More

How to Improve Your Love Life with the Power of Feng Shui - Without Spending a Dime!

FENG shui (say "fung shway") is the art of creating... Read More

Follow Your Dream

If you have a dream, follow it. No matter how... Read More

The Keys To Faster Evolution

Prosperity is management of positive energy. It's individual capacity to... Read More

Its All Up to You (Nobody is Coming to Save You!)

As painful as this realization may be, it is absolutely... Read More

Life Focus: What Does Your Life Say?

"Imagine a funeral. The preacher's giving the eulogy. And suddenly,... Read More

5 Practical Shyness Tips That Work Everytime

We all experience a little shyness at times with people... Read More

How to Get Rich

Got your attention, didn't I? I figured that title would... Read More

Tiger and the Three Pigs

After years of terrorizing the countryside, hunting deer, poaching livestock,... Read More

True Friends Are Not Dream-Slashers

A friendship poem:Choose friends wisely, the portrait they paintIs who... Read More

4 Important Conversation Tips for Your Personal and Professional Lives

If you are searching for a way to improve your... Read More

Demanding Miracles

Have you ever had an overwhelming problem or issue? Was... Read More

Creating Your Character is Like an Artist Creating a Sculpture

(excerpted from the Cultivating an Unshakable Character series)Could creating your... Read More

The Art of Manifestation

There are times in life when we wish to create... Read More

Manifesting Money

You are a money magnet. Money is flowing to you... Read More

Transformational Counseling - Part One

Transformational Counseling is a process of assisting others to transform... Read More

Grab Their Attention

In the movie, "The Player" during a scene at a... Read More

Getting the Universe to Work for You

Wouldn't it be great to know that you have something... Read More

Im Thinking...But Im not Growing Rich!

So you've read "Think and Grow Rich", and you've got... Read More

Listening Is As Important As Speaking

While engaging in conversations with friends and co-workers, how often... Read More

No Ifs, Ands Or Buts

If we could choose right now, this moment, how we... Read More

Looking to Where the Grass is Greener?

I've written this article specifically for individuals contemplating change with... Read More

The Laws of the Universe

What I am about to tell you will take a... Read More

The Top 10 Roadblocks to Attracting Prosperity and what We can Do About Them!

If it were easy, everyone would do IT; everyone would... Read More

Anamcara - The Blessing of Love

â??The snow goose need not bathe to make its self... Read More

Seeing What You Never Saw Before

Have you ever bought a new car and then afterwards... Read More

A Story Of Unbelievable Persistence

Dick and Jay sat on the ground outside the shed.... Read More

How To Master The Art of Conversation

The art of conversation is a skill shared by most... Read More

Pheromones Myth or Fact. Do Pheromones Work?

I did a quick search on the Internet for pheromones.Pheromones... Read More

Do I Need to Visualize to Manifest my Desires?

You've heard me talk in previous articles about Deliberate attraction.... Read More

What Did You Want To Be When You Grew Up

When I was seven years old I wanted to be... Read More

Opportunity Knocks 1000 Times

You've heard people say that opportunity only knocks once. I... Read More

How to Get that It Factor Happening

Sitting here today in sunny Queensland Australia, I'm reflecting on... Read More