What's In a Name: Thoughts on Changing My Name

*Before we begin, I want to make it extremely clear that no one owes anyone an explanation on why they changed their name. I don't mind exploring changing MY name, but that will not be everyone's experience. So, be wild, but do so while also being kind and respectful ♥️

From My Journal

There is a memory that my soul keeps deep within my core. When I will it to the surface of my mind, I close my eyes and find myself soaring over a nearly arctic mountain peak. Pine and aspen wood sprawl out below. A crystalline baby blue lake reflects the pre-sunset light beneath me. Soon the night will come, and I am excited because that is when I get to embrace the stars. Sometimes I wonder if this was when my soul was born.

Ponderings

Mackenzie is a beautiful name. In some traditions it can mean "Born of Fire" and while I am stubborn AF, extremely passionate, and resilient of soul, the name never really belonged to me. I am a child of the wind and sea myself, more hurricane than Inferno 😉.

It was less a name and more a title, a necessary means of social communication. In my own case, the name is not offensive to me necessarily, my 3-year-old still calls me Mama Kenzie {It's a special name just between us}.

Then why change it? Because the names Aspen Joy & AJ fit my soul like a missing puzzle piece the way the name Mackenzie never has.

I have always felt a deep connection to nature. I swear I would not have agreed to this lifetime if there were no animals in it and forest bathing has always brought me home. A home deep within me, that cannot be damaged, broken, or taken away. And in this world...that means everything.

The name Aspen is a physical manifestation of that home within me. More than a name, it is a declaration, a fact. This IS Me, I AM and that will not be taken from me.

So, what's in a name? A god's damn revolution! Because all revolutions start at home, while we are looking in the mirror. They start when we refuse to be anyone but ourselves AND when we love ourselves enough to demand our right to do so.

A jam to go with this post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSBzMU1QyO8