I love this for you, Soleil. Come to think of it, Kelsey never seemed to entirely fit you. It's off-the rack whereas Soleil is bespoke. You have spoken the bespoke! And thank you for this writing. A benefit of changing your name in your 40's is how aware you got to be of the process.
I changed my name at 13, entering a new school in 8th grade. I just started introducing myself as Rie and signing Rie on my papers. I had a vague sense that Marie, my birth name, was a little prissy, overly cautious, a bit of a teacher's pet. I left those things in the first syllable and went on as Rie. Later as I learned Spanish, I found that Ríe means "she laughs." Even later I understood that laughter is a superpower, a release, a grounding, and a way to remind myself to be humble. Sometimes it comes straight up out of my body unbidden, and there's nothing better!
Thank you Rie! And for naming the awareness that comes with age. I hadn't considered that, and your reminder is a gift that helps me feel a little less "late to the game." I'm also appreciating how your name showed you more of what's true with time. Laughter is a superpower for all those reasons you've named. What an unfolding. I suspect the same measured discovery will be true for me. Or, I hope. Thank you for being here and for commenting. ☀️
Wow! Great reflection. You are such a beautiful writer! I especially loved this line, “there is also a way she learned to tuck in her wildness, to collapse the longing of her creative urges, and to make less visible the process of becoming in favor of the responsible, acceptable, and desirable.” I relate so much to these images you’ve conjured.
Thank you Geoff! So nice to greet you here and visually “meet” you. I don’t know if my inner little will ever get over the compliment of, “you are such a beautiful writer.” It’s a thousand bouquets that makes me heart swell.
I love this, Soleil! I chuckled at Rock and Clay (a specific terroir)! What ran through my head as I read was the phrase "the sun shines on *all* the earth" (earth in its many senses). A beautiful piece, thank you ❤️
Haha! Totally! A very specific terroir. Of course Clay likes a name that's basically his. In fact, it might have been his delight at his name that initially sparked more recognition of how my relationship was different. Thank you for reading Ann! xoxo
Purpose is in our name and naming. When I was around 30 I was carried deep within myself where Cynthia lived in a retracted state. Goddess of the moon. In high school and college I was Cindy Winton. Coming out as Cynthia made room for me to honor light shining in the darkness. I once considered Cynthia to be a stuck-up name. It turned out I needed to embrace my deep feminine. Soleil, I’m on a journey with you to recognize truths that we are
Golly Cynthia! That last line brought a tear. May it be so. And thank you for sharing your journey with your own name. I cannot imagine you as Cindy! Though I'm sure it was right for a time. I did not know that Cynthia was the Goddess of the Moon. I see it. And I see you. Sending you so much love and appreciation for your continued support. ☀️🌙
Your sunny side up or slithering down the refrigerator name brings a smile to my face. I see your bright smile and bow to your Big Body- Full Body story.
More and more these days I am grateful for the connection of Earth and Sun that source of lives and beloved home planet. So, Soleil makes me also think of Source.
As you say this I'm reminded of my commitment for this year: To recognize myself as creator and trust with source channels through me. I had not even thought about this in connection to my name. It seems so obvious now. Thank you for bringing it to the surface. I'm so glad the slithering brought a smile 🐍. Thank you for being here Judy
I love this for you, Soleil. Come to think of it, Kelsey never seemed to entirely fit you. It's off-the rack whereas Soleil is bespoke. You have spoken the bespoke! And thank you for this writing. A benefit of changing your name in your 40's is how aware you got to be of the process.
I changed my name at 13, entering a new school in 8th grade. I just started introducing myself as Rie and signing Rie on my papers. I had a vague sense that Marie, my birth name, was a little prissy, overly cautious, a bit of a teacher's pet. I left those things in the first syllable and went on as Rie. Later as I learned Spanish, I found that Ríe means "she laughs." Even later I understood that laughter is a superpower, a release, a grounding, and a way to remind myself to be humble. Sometimes it comes straight up out of my body unbidden, and there's nothing better!
Thank you Rie! And for naming the awareness that comes with age. I hadn't considered that, and your reminder is a gift that helps me feel a little less "late to the game." I'm also appreciating how your name showed you more of what's true with time. Laughter is a superpower for all those reasons you've named. What an unfolding. I suspect the same measured discovery will be true for me. Or, I hope. Thank you for being here and for commenting. ☀️
Wow! Great reflection. You are such a beautiful writer! I especially loved this line, “there is also a way she learned to tuck in her wildness, to collapse the longing of her creative urges, and to make less visible the process of becoming in favor of the responsible, acceptable, and desirable.” I relate so much to these images you’ve conjured.
Thank you Geoff! So nice to greet you here and visually “meet” you. I don’t know if my inner little will ever get over the compliment of, “you are such a beautiful writer.” It’s a thousand bouquets that makes me heart swell.
Yes, yes, yes Soleil!!! Such a beautiful way to become more of yourself by choosing a name that holds so much!!❤️❤️
Thank you Michele! I knew you would get it! ☀️
I love this, Soleil! I chuckled at Rock and Clay (a specific terroir)! What ran through my head as I read was the phrase "the sun shines on *all* the earth" (earth in its many senses). A beautiful piece, thank you ❤️
Haha! Totally! A very specific terroir. Of course Clay likes a name that's basically his. In fact, it might have been his delight at his name that initially sparked more recognition of how my relationship was different. Thank you for reading Ann! xoxo
Purpose is in our name and naming. When I was around 30 I was carried deep within myself where Cynthia lived in a retracted state. Goddess of the moon. In high school and college I was Cindy Winton. Coming out as Cynthia made room for me to honor light shining in the darkness. I once considered Cynthia to be a stuck-up name. It turned out I needed to embrace my deep feminine. Soleil, I’m on a journey with you to recognize truths that we are
born to illuminate.
Golly Cynthia! That last line brought a tear. May it be so. And thank you for sharing your journey with your own name. I cannot imagine you as Cindy! Though I'm sure it was right for a time. I did not know that Cynthia was the Goddess of the Moon. I see it. And I see you. Sending you so much love and appreciation for your continued support. ☀️🌙
Soleil is beautiful, just like this writing! And I was always a sucker for acqua di gio 😆
Right! It feels nice to not be alone in this appreciation. Thank you Logan.
Your sunny side up or slithering down the refrigerator name brings a smile to my face. I see your bright smile and bow to your Big Body- Full Body story.
More and more these days I am grateful for the connection of Earth and Sun that source of lives and beloved home planet. So, Soleil makes me also think of Source.
As you say this I'm reminded of my commitment for this year: To recognize myself as creator and trust with source channels through me. I had not even thought about this in connection to my name. It seems so obvious now. Thank you for bringing it to the surface. I'm so glad the slithering brought a smile 🐍. Thank you for being here Judy