What's In A Name?

The power of a name, one that can only be known in total acceptance of one's self.

Often times I receive questions of my new name, or the changes upon my author’s page. So I thought, since I could not sleep, I would endeavor to explain. Please bear with me, as this may ramble at times.

Within the past fifth teen months, I have had the pleasure of knowing Tender Wolf, a poetess and a remarkable Native American in her own right. As a result of sharing through the months, some aspects of me, that never made sense before, awakened within me. My friend quickly became my advisor, and then my teacher.

Now she serves me as my Cheyenne Wisdom Keeper, and Tribal Mother. For she has helped me to understand my Native American Heritage. For within my veins flows blood of the Cherokee. With this has come certain abilities or gifts, I have known of throughout my life, yet could not make sense of.

During this same time, a friendship with her daughter, Wind Spirit was gifted to me. Wind Spirit was brought into my life by the Great Spirit, working through Tender Wolf. Have no doubt, that while one has given me wisdom, the other has given me the opportunity to be just plain ole me. In friendship, she has allowed me to grow, to mature and to assume my right place upon the Wheel of Life.

Unbeknown to most, at the same time, a deeper realization of the importance to one another became apparent. Through steadfast, sometimes difficult, persistence we have grown in one another’s lives. We breathe the same air, dream the same dreams and share bonds of the same spirit. It has been an illuminating experience to say the least. More aptly put it has been life changing.

I often stop and take stock of who I am, and where I am in life. The road to this point has been broken at best. Yet were it not for those painful and trying times I would not be here today. I would not have such friendships, nor have experienced such change.

People come into our lives for a reason. Some only stay for a day, others for a lifetime. The point is not to dwell on the time, but on what you are to receive from another and what you are to give freely in exchange. So that you may both be a blessing to one another.

When I first met Tender Wolf, I chose the name Dream Walker. For this name spoke of one of my spiritual gifting. However here I was known as PureCountry. When I assumed my place on the path I now walk, my Wisdom Keeper and Teacher blessed me with a new name, Silent Hawk. This name is how I am now known here.

Today I received a gift in the mail, from Wind Spirit. One that touched me in a way no other has. It was a headband made to measurement for my cowboy hat. On it in Cherokee colors is my Indian name and totem animal symbol. This headband is made up of 2444 individual small beads woven together on a loom. This weaving was done by her personally and during a time of illness. It has such a spirit about it and is full of energy, that radiates outward. It was crafted in spirit and in love.

You ask what is the point of my new name. I say it is to reflect the man I have become. Through the love of two, I have been granted the freedom to be me. To not have to conform to any set of preconceived ideas, to learn freely and to share in return freely. For the first time unconditional love has been patterned to me. What is in a name? When a man matures and accepts himself, what is there becomes an epiphany to him and him alone.

I have searched my entire life for this understanding, this reasoning, this knowing of myself. You may scoff at the idea that people from a distance at a place like Ap can have an effect on another. If so, I say you are skeptical and afraid to face yourself. For it takes great courage to look at one’s self and to make the changes needed of you by your higher power.

You have only to read in my poetry since August 23, 2007 to know what I feel towards Wind Spirit. You have only to hear me speak to know of the difference she and her mother have made in my life. One was the thunder, and the other is the rain. One had to come into my life first, before the other could walk there. Yet it is the rain that refreshes me daily. It is the rain, that I will never come in out of. For here, I can be the little boy who plays in the water, and no one will chastise me, by that I mean I can dwell here with her. It only has to make sense to us and no one else.

What is in a name, a sense of belonging, a sense of finding home? It is all of this and more. It is acceptance, wisdom and the freedom to be one’s self. A freedom, I have never known in the way of my Anglo Saxon Heritage. For the Indian blood within me has only elevated my understanding.

I grow and change daily, or so it seems. My abilities according to Tender Wolf grow at a rate she often times finds herself in awe of. I say that not in arrogance, but in the hopes that if someone else is looking for a deeper understanding of themselves. If you have an Indian heritage, perhaps it is calling out to you as well.

If you are lucky, the Great Spirit, will gift someone into your life. Someone, who will mean as much to you as these two women have come to mean to me. Never give up hope, never allow your dreams to die. For if you will not pursue them, who will? If you will not fight for what you want, you will find yourself living a life of regret at an older age.

I cannot begin to tell you of those who have sought me out. Who have wanted to have made different decisions at a younger age, like we all sometimes wish. I encourage everyone to be true to yourself. For if you are not happy in your skin, you cannot bring happiness to another. You cannot begin to live a life of service as we were all created to do. For this existence is not about us, but about what we can to do for others.

In closing, Tender Wolf, my friend, my teacher, my Wisdom Keeper, my tribal mother I say thank you for all that you have given freely of to me. Rather it be your time, your words, your energies or that which lays closest to your heart, I have appreciated the difference it has made in my life. Trust me when I say it has made all the difference. Mother I Love You

Wind Spirit, my muse, my friend, my confidant I acknowledge here that were it not for you, I’d be lost. My world was one of shadows before you came into it. However since then the rays of Grandfather Sun and the reflected beams of Grandmother Moon have shone brightly. I have wanted to run with you, when you have had the wisdom for us to walk. I have desired to be impatient and hasty, you have known of our need to wait. Is it no wonder our paths are singular, is it no wonder our spirits are as one? You have my Enduring Love Always, of which you already know.

What is in a name? Be silent and listen. For if you quieten your spirit, He will reveal to you what is in your name as He has to me through the ministry of these two. To Him Above, Be Praise, Honor and Glory. As it is above, so shall it be below!