Wednesday 5 December 2007

What's in a Name

In magical lore the knowledge of someone's true name was meant to give you power over them. That's why, in the story of Rumplestiltskin, the knowledge of his true name allowed the girl to break the curse.

In older societies the choosing of a name for a member of the tribe was done by their undertaking a rite of passage or by the reading of signs and portents - their name was meant to be a connection with the world or the people around them - a representation of their true spirit.

In the modern world, as soon as we enter 'the system' we are assigned numbers or logos and quickly our name becomes a part of a list - another body. As a result, re-connecting with your name and sometimes the meaning that name had for your parents can take a bit of effort. Many of us are called after grandparents - carrying on the family tradition.

Names are powerful - the Christian story of Adam, the first man, naming all the things in Paradise shows Mankind's first effort of categorisation and control over the beings we share the planet with.

As consultants and speakers it becomes usual to create and become your business name - and lose sight of the essence of the business which is ourselves. Clients hire us - and not our business name.

Sometimes we use that business name as a means of creating credibility for ourselves or to appear something more than what we are. However, if we return to the core we come to realise that we are who we are - our name. It embodies us, our spirit and all the pain and passion that we have lived in our lives. We resonate with the energy of it.

It's been a lesson of personal acceptance this week to return to who I am and to use just this name in business. Seán Weafer. Or Seán Kilcommons-Weafer (a name which blends Normans and Celts, land and sea, Christian and Pre-Christian themes).

It's taken some soul searching, some reflection and some courage to committ my future to just my name. To realise that I have various aspects of myself and that to grow I need to remember who I am and not be afraid to share all of that with my clients and friends.

R-Evolution takes courage - sometimes that courage is needed to return, recognise and accept the core. Onwards.

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