“We don’t give children a name as an expectation to live up to, we give children a name as a possibility to live into” – Benjamin Zander
I find this quote and the concept behind it powerful as I have applied it in my life.
We do not stop calling a child Joy because she is currently bringing us pain, the name remains in spite of circumstance.
My signature on my formal emails is, “With joy”. Sometimes I write pretty tough wake-up calls, queries and also respond to tough wake-up calls and queries, but I sign all emails – “With joy”.
Sometimes, when I am proofreading an email, I get a nudge to remove the signature, because of the present pain I feel, but I remind myself that the present discomfort is temporary, but my joy is permanent. This helps me to embrace the conflict within and stand true to my proclamation – “I am with joy”.
Remember “abracadabra” – I will create as I speak.
I also think this is powerful in all relationships – formal, informal, romantic, or adversarial. We give a name to our partner or adversary not as an expectation, but as a possibility.
How would you live if everyone you meet is actively working for and not against you?
It is a possibility. Explore it.
– Osasu Oviawe