People will have all sorts of opinions about us and likely call us many different names. And certainly there’s a place for us to teach people how to treat us and to not tolerate disrespect. But part of this teaching is simply responding only to our true name.
No one likes being called the wrong name or having their character misrepresented by others.
And naturally we get defensive and try to correct the other’s perception of us. We want them to know who we truly are.
And many times this can be effective, particularly when the other is willing to hear and change their opinions of us.
But this is not always the case. And it becomes yet another reminder to focus on the choices we can make.
Whether the other is intentional and malicious, or simply forgetful or perhaps misguided, we still get the choice to respond only to our true name.
As such, we don’t have to spend a lot of energy trying to convince someone who we are. We simply have to live in the truth of who we are.
And how we respond shapes our dance with the other.
You can call me anything you want. But I will only answer to my name!
Interactions with us will be on the terms of our true self. And we’re not willing to accept anything else.
For instance, someone can only treat us like a child if we allow them. But they are forced to deal with the reality of who we are when we consistently show up and engage with them as mature men.
Without saying a word, our life speaks for us. And the situation becomes self-corrective because we’re only engaging with those who are willing to respect the truth of who we are and call us by our true name.
Teach others the truth of who you are whenever they’re willing to learn. But remember, regardless of what they call you, in the end, you only have to answer to your true name.
Photo by Angelo Moleele on Unsplash
