That's Not My Name

Hello my name is Kalei

It was a beautiful morning, so I loaded my dog Daisy into my car and headed to my favorite hiking trail.  After a serene and peaceful workout, I returned to my car and checked my phone.  

There was an urgent email from a colleague I’ve worked with for many years.  The email began: 

Dear Kaleigh…

[Screeching record halt]

I’m sorry who?  

A tad annoyed, I immediately responded: 

Hi Jake, I’m Hawaiian, not Irish. 

Mahalo, 
KALEI 

(Confession: I spent at least 10 minutes debating whether I should address him as JHAYKE.  I ultimately decided that yes, I’m remarkably clever, but no, that was a bit snarky). 

He responded, Ok I’ll try to remember that next time.  

Huh? I thought. No big deal, guy, it’s just MY NAME.

A few minutes later, a new voicemail popped up.  I pressed play and was greeted with this: 

Hello, um…Kay-lee?  I’m calling about…

Ugh. 

Anxious to shake it off and get my day started, I arrived at my neighborhood Starbucks.  When I made it up to the counter, I took a deep breath. 

Me: Good morning!

Starbucks Guy: Hi Kalei. 

He not only pronounced my name correctly, he spelled it perfectly on my little white cup. (If you’re thinking, wow she must live at Starbucks.  Yes.  Yes she does).

I couldn’t help but smile.  After my I-don’t-care-what-your-name-is morning, someone took the time to know my name.  To know me. 

My name and I are synonymous- it’s my identity, my truth. Hearing it (pronounced correctly, which is an entirely different story), makes my heart sing. 

I love Dale Carnegie’s Success Tip: Remember that a person’s name to that person is the sweetest and most important sound in any language.

I know I have an unusual name that’s difficult to pronounce.  My point is this: I appreciate when an effort is made.  It tells me you care. 

Do you have an unusual name?  Or maybe you’ve been called by the wrong name?  I’d love to hear from you in the comments below (especially my fellow Hawaiian peeps). 

What's in a name? that which we call a rose 

By any other name would smell as sweet.

- William Shakespeare

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

- Isaiah 43:1

How Do You Start Your Morning?

I just love little pumpkins.  And this little candle.
It's the little things, you know?

I love my morning ritual.  After being woken up by my ridiculously energetic dog (who is thankfully adorable), we take a nice long walk along a beautiful tree-lined creek, singing "Good Morning" to Daisy's friends--fellow dogs and the cutest little cottontail bunnies--along the way.  (I know I sound like Snow White in this little story, but this is seriously how amazing my morning is).

When I get back, I make a warm and hearty bowl of oatmeal with chia seeds and bananas, lightly dusted with cinnamon, and sip Sweet and Spicy Tea with a dash of almond milk.  YUM.

After breakfast, I pull out my Women of Faith Bible and Jesus Calling, my lovingly worn devotional that I've read nearly every day for the last 4 years.  It never fails to comfort me.  But the crazy part?  More often than not, the day's message is exactly what I need to hear.  God is pretty amazing that way, you know?  

"In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly." Psalm 5:3 NIV