Name
Can you spell it?
Can you remember it?
Even tomorrow?
What about next week?
What about the children's names?
And the spouses' names?
Can you really remember them all?
My pastor's wife Nancy, who passed away two weeks ago, really did remember every one's name! She also remembered your children's names; and most of the time even details about your children! How did she do it?
For those of us involved in a ministry with her, have become aware of that we had always counted on Nancy remembering the names of people; at our single mom's dinners, we counted on Nancy to remember the moms' names and the volunteers' names. Now we, who are left behind, have realized that we have to find ways to learn the moms' names! Easier said than done.......But think, what a difference it makes when someone calls you by name; you feel special, important, valued, appreciated, welcomed; just because someone took the time to learn and remember your name! I want to make people feel special because I know their names!
I don't ever forget my students' names, but why do I have such a difficulty remembering other peoples' names? I don't forget faces, but names.....
Has anyone found any good strategies of learning AND remembering peoples' names?
My mother taught me that as you hear the names, look at the person & make a quick story about them that connects to the name. It can rhyme, it can be something silly, but just private for you to help remember. It helps me a lot, & I don't always get it right, but many times I do. I'm sorry that you have this great loss, however. I am thinking this post is not just about learning names. Best to you Jaana.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda! I will try to make stories about the people in order to remember their names better (maybe this will turn into a blog post later on....)
DeleteThe part that stands out for me today:
ReplyDelete"But think, what a difference it makes when someone calls you by name; you feel special, important, valued, appreciated, welcomed; just because someone took the time to learn and remember your name!"
I am pretty good with names but I don't know how exactly do I do it. I have had few times in my life when I have had to apologize because I have forgotten their name. Fortunately it hasn't happened with the same person twice.
I have heard of a person who took pictures of people and labeled them to learn the names.
I hope that you find a strategy that helps you.
Terje, I like the idea of taking pictures. I am such a visual person that names together with faces might just work for me!
DeleteI remember my student's names, too, but it seems every year I always have a pair that I mix up... this year it is Britney and Brianna.
ReplyDeleteI think Linda is so right...your reflection is about much more than names, even though they are important. I think you care just as much as your wonderful friend, and you will find yourself startingto remember names more and more, just as she did. How you must miss her!
Thank you so much for your kind words! You blessed me today!
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