My birth name is Edie and throughout my life, I would have the frustrating experience of having it mispronounced and/or mis-spelled in such a way that if someone didn’t know who was being referred to, would have thought I was male. Even teachers who you would think would know better, would call it out that way when taking roll call on the first day of school. I often wondered what it would be like to have had a ‘normal’ name, since when I was growing up- Barbara, Susan, Karen, Linda, Debbie, Donna and Kathy were common girls’ names. The most unusual name of a classmate was Mimi and she was Chinese. In the late 80’s and through the 90’s, I used the pseudonym, Kate Joy, because no one ever mis-pronounced it and because it reminded me of my beloved Aunt Kate who was playful and quite like a kid herself into her later years. Some people still refer to me that way.

Lately, I have told people that it is like the name of the decadently delicious ice cream brand Edy’s (except for the spelling). They smile brightly when I say that. I like comparing myself to a sweet treat.  Another way that I have reframed my name is by focusing on the meaning. “rich gift, riches, wealth, blessed and war”. Now, the war part I could bypass, except that I do view myself as a peaceful warrior. When I go to the bank and the teller asks me if there is anything else they can do for me, I always grin and tell them that they can put a million dollars into my account. Focused on abundance most of the time, I give thanks in advance for all of the rich gifts in my life.

My intention is that I embody that sentiment in the lives of those who cross my path. I have this vision of a full to overflowing treasure chest. That imagery keeps me  focused. Whe we are in that condition, we have the ability to generously give out, without feeling ‘gived out’. When I am in that place of prosperity, I KNOW that the source of my livelihood isn’t the people who hire me, but rather the Infinite. There is always more than enough to go around~