Words have power, names carry meaning.  They can breathe life and hope or sew despair and contempt.  How we are known, what we are called, can impact us, can impact those around us.  They can heal and they can harm.  Yet, often we are careless with our words, not aware, or not caring about the impact they have.  I once heard that “words are eternal” once uttered we can’t take them back.  If that were the case, we might be more intentional about the words and the names that we fling.  Instead, we thoughtlessly call young boys rotten and stubborn and are surprised when they grow to be cruel men, we label small girls as pretty, sweet princesses and are frustrated that they don’t know their own strength.

In Lesotho I have been called many things.  Kind things, and less than kind things.  People have been thoughtful and thoughtless.  Words in Sesotho and English have hurt me and they have healed.  Words have power, names carry meaning.

When I arrived in my village I was given a new name, a new identity.  That day and every day since I have been called “Naleli” (Nah- lay- dee).  My future host mother deliberated, and I expect prayed, over what she would call her new American daughter.  She considered what my name would communicate about me and my presence in her family, our community and in Lesotho.   ‘M’e Matsolo carefully and hopefully chose Naleli, which means ‘Star’.  Names in Lesotho carry meaning, names in Lesotho are chosen with extreme care, and so when I introduce myself I recognize the appreciation of such a lovely name.

“U Mang?”  (Who are you?)

“Ke Naleli!” I say with pride.

“Oh, the nice name,” they might note.

“I know!” I beam!!

Naleli, has been a reminder to me, a reminder of the hope my community has, of the care my mother took in selecting it, of the pride that accompanies such a beautiful name.  Naleli, calls me to sparkle when I want to wither, to shine when I want to grumble and hide.

As I walk through my village and I hear “’M’e Naleli, ‘M’e Naleli!,” I walk a bit taller, I shine a bit brighter.

Two years ago Naleli was just a Sesotho word meaning star.  Today, it is more than what they call me, it is who they see me as, it is who I see myself as, it is a call and a name I aspire to embody more fully.  It has shaped me, and I it.  “Ke Naleli!”

Words have power, names have meaning.  Use them carefully, speak them with kindness, breath life and encourage others to shine.

Salang Hantle,

Naleli