Names and pre-destination

[kpokplomaja]

This was on the Talk Party on 19th July -- brought up by a poem by Toke.

(1) Are our lives pre-determined, or is this just an excuse for people to escape from responsibility for what they do?
(2) Do our names have an impact on our lives, and do they ultimately influence what we turn out to be, and our successes and failures?
(3) If our names do have an impact, should we change our names to fit?

[novisi]

1. are our lives pre-determined? i wonder. but beyond my wondering i can decide what to do and what not to do. so therefore the 'pre-determination theory' doesn't prove itself really. we are responsible to a good extent whatever actions we take.

2. our names may have impacts on our lives, either by individuals assuming roles that is specified by whatever names they may have or by others acknowledging potentials by being bias to names! and they may influence ultimately what we turn our to be just as the environment we choose to stay in may influence such outcomes or just as the religions we choose to follow may influence. there's no big deal there because you might just turn out to be a contrasting character to your own name! our names are no special than logos or creeds we may choose to religiously believe in. funny right?

3. from my point above, there's no need to change names just to fit any 'destiny'. however, you may change your name just like you may bleach your skin like Michael Jackson. it doesn't matter. it doesn't take away the inner you! for example there are a lot of people called Jesus but they are nowhere near the Jesus to whom so called Christians pray to. still funny!

[Jimmy]

Well depending on one's standpoint it may be argued to some extent that our names affect our lives based on existential ideas that some people strive to be the characters they are named after and most often Parent do name their kids after some persons because they would love them to be like them or emulate the ideal that got them attracted to such individuals

In as much as people will have a point in relation to the above, from my point of view, our names, even if they have any influence at all, is not significant. Life is how you make it with a nice name or not. People have been born as the first bearers of their names (for instance my first born, if a lady, will be called Jesmarita ever hared it anywhere? Well a combination of names) and they grow up to be great so who were they imitating since they were the first to bear the name.

Our destiny is in our own hands although realized in the society we find ourselves in. Our destinies depend on our ability to take up opportunities as they pass by and move on at earlier attempts at greatness which people call failures (well that their cup of tea though) never giving up on your dreams. I don't think this has got anything to do with names.

The only time I be tempted to agree with names influencing your life is when the ugly face of tribalism comes in and people give special treatment to people because of their names which i don't call greatness in life although it is one of the opportunities that needs to be grabbed in life

As to changing your name? what is important is finding joy in it and being proud of it. if changing it will give you a renewed energy to realize your dream why not change it. it is your life and how you live it in realizing your dreams not offending yourself is what is important.

But i must say I am proud of my name though and sometimes I just wonder which of the James was i named after, the Apostles and young men in Israel or the Kings and Princes of England? Well I think i will accept them all Good or Bad Yes! because there were some real good ones and hey real BAD ones Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmn that is human Nature.

Chill out folks and see you on Sunday its been a long time though