I am quite aware of the importance of addressing someone with their name, one’s sweetest sound. As much as I love to be called by my name, I deeply care to call others by their name. If at all for some reason, I cannot address someone with their name, I feel a wide gap to make a good connection. In spite of this, still I struggle registering people’s names.

It feels so uneasy not remembering someone’s name. But how to remember one’s name? Sometimes writing down one’s name helps me to remember. But I may or may not always have opportunity to write down the name on a paper. I would like to share an experience I had when my son and I were at Disney World.

Keshav and I were having a short break, finished having our snack. Just then a man stopped by with his seven year old grand daughter. He was probably in his early 70’s, in wheel chair (remember it is Disney world! ), yet in great energy. We had a short five minute conversation and he used both our names at least half a dozen times. I was kind of mesmerized to see the ease of his talk, how correctly he pronounced our names and with so much ease.

As soon as they left, both Keshav and I had big smiles on our faces and Keshav said, “Mom, by calling our names again and again, he is memorizing just as how we noticed in Monster’s Inc laugh show…he calling Keaton, Keaton, Keaton ….on and on. ” This man definitively left an impact on us! By the way, this wonderful man’s name is “Randall Waltz!”

Recently I started practicing this. I even shared this experience so the new person wouldn’t think why I am calling on and on her/his name. Both the new acquaintance and me are delighted in calling our names with a big smile, even from a distance. It could be just a simple one line conversation as below to spiral up our good-feeling energies.

Hey Mark, how are you?
I am good Aruna. How are you?

Hello Tanvi, see I remember your name.
Yes Aruna, I remember your’s too 🙂

Trust you will find a way to remember and address your acquaintances with their name, one’s  Sweetest Sound, and make a lasting impact in their lives.