So... this has been on my mind for AWHILE!  So today after being called Dorothy one more time, I just decided to share it. Many of you may be saying, girl you are crazy, but that's ok.  lol

In America, we tend to want to shorten peoples names instead of Susan, we say Suzie, Joseph, we say Joe and instead of DOROTHYINEZ, we say "Dorothy" without even asking if they mind.  I have found as I have tried these past few month to "correct" people that is is VERY UNCOMFORTABLE to do but it must be done because it's apart of my branding, just like Minister of Beauty™.  In fact, several women who also have difficult names told me it doesn't even matter to them anymore because they are used to it.  USED TO IT???  REALLY?  Why do we have to get used to be called anything but our name.  If someone decided to call you _______________(you fill it in) would you just go with that too?

For 40+ years I was called Inez, which I love! But when I was called to start a business to serve  women, I felt God inspired me to use my first and middle name TOGETHER, Not Dorothy, Not Inez, DorothyInez. My close friends and family call me Inez of course and that's ok. 

I believe our names are divinely given to us.  Most parents take the time to specially choose your name, they think long and hard some even have arguments about it.  I think it is a disrespect to that person to call them anything other than their given name without their permission.  I know NONE of you meant ANY disrespect, but I am just making a point.  I often feel bad for immigrant Americans who come up with "American" names because no one want to try to pronounce their given name.  It breaks my heart that Min Joo has to be "Helen" because we refuse to TRY to pronounce her name or Mary Susan has to just be Mary because it takes too long to say her full name.

Our names have meaning and I bet if you looked up yours, you would find that in some way you are living into that name because you have been called it for however many years. My name is Dorothy (Gift of God) and Inez (With A Pure Heart) that is who I am called to be to EVERY woman who works with me. Each time you say my name, I am reminded of my purpose and calling. It may seem long but its pretty easy to say once you get it. :-) 

I encourage you the next time you meet someone to ask what they like to be called don't just assume Suzanne wants to be called Suzy.  She just doesn't have the courage to correct you.  I can testify that it is so hard to do.  

Here's a video also explaining my logo AND name. I hope you understand where I am coming from. So please No more DOROTHY'S I share this with you in ♥


DorothyInez, Minister of Beauty

 


Comments

I love your courage to speak your truth DorothyInez and the explanation of your logo is fascinating and so, so YOU! Congratulations to you and Cassandra!
Lynn

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06/14/2012 22:13

Thank you.

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06/14/2012 22:37

I totally agree..I love my name Elizabeth. As a matter of fact a dear friend of my Father's always called me Elizabeth Anne..and when I looked at him..he would always come back and say to me Elizabeth Anne...Yes, this is another learning experience for me..Thank you DorothyInez for your inspiration, Elizabeth Anne.

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06/13/2012 23:48

Hey as someone who changed my name + a few other things besides .. like my sex .. I totally get the importance of being congruent with how you present yourself in the world. The whole topic seems to be in line with what you do as a minister of beauty - matching the inner and the outer. Thank you Dorothy Inez!

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06/14/2012 22:14

Thank you for sharing you thoughts,congruency is vital. xo

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06/15/2012 16:54

Thanks so much DorothyInez for having the courage to write this. I know I was one of the folks that always called you Dorothy, so thank you for expressing what you want to be called. I really appreciate that.

As for my naming history. I was intended to be named after the most wonderful grandmother ever--Kathleen who went by Katie, but my other grandmother who was as awful as the other was wonderful, said she would disown me if I wasn't named after her. So, I was named Sherry Kathleen Bauer, but have always gone by middle name (after the wonderful woman). I've always been so frustrated when people have called me Sherry. A few weeks ago, I decided that I would legally change my name to my wonderful grandmother's full name (with the blessing of my parents): Kathleen Zola and until I legally make that change, I have decided to go ahead and start calling myself that. It's very empowering and feels so right!

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06/15/2012 20:38

Kathleen Zola!!! Wow, you inspired me with your story. I understand how you feel about your "wonderful" grandmother. I was named after my grandmother "Inez" too. What a stand you took by changing your name. I have to say I was scared to make this post but I really think its important that we begin to stand in our truth...whatever it is regardless of what anyone has to say. Congratulations!!!!

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