identity and the Self-Image (why I changed my name)

Readapted from an essay written back in July 2022

The inspiration for this essay struck when I decided to change my public name.

To my friends familiar with me as Solomon, you’ve never questioned it.

However, for the OGs who’ve known me as Jonah, there’s been a mix of curiosity and confusion about this “Solomon” appearing on your feed.

‍This short essay is my explanation. But beyond that, by the time you finish reading, you might find yourself pondering the idea of changing your own name too (metaphorically speaking).

‍There’s a book that had a large influence at the beginning of my mission to build a better life (conquering the world/breaking out of the matrix/creating freedom—as I’d call it).

‍It’s called Psycho-Cybernetics and the core concept it concerns is the self-image.

The self-image is the perception you have of yourself and your identity.

This perception of self is very powerful because it is what massively influences how we think, feel, act, and appear to others.

A positive and empowering self-image = powerful life and results.

‍A negative self-image = negative results.

‍So why did I change my name?

‍The name Solomon signifies “peace” and “friend of God.”‍

In the Bible, Solomon is known as a king of unparalleled wisdom and wealth.

‍If you look up the “Judgment of Solomon,” you’ll find a story that showcases his wisdom in action.

‍Beyond his wisdom, Solomon’s wealth was legendary, described as surpassing that of any person who lived before him, making him historically one of the richest figures ever.

‍Now, when I was younger, I asked my mom what Jonah meant. She told me it signifies a dove, which symbolizes peace.

‍Intriguingly, both Jonah and Solomon represent peace, this seems like a nice coincidental connection.

‍Though part of the evolution stemmed from an interesting point where the name Jonah also carries the meaning “he that oppresses; destroyer,” occasionally bearing a negative connotation, even suggesting “bad luck.”

‍Recall the biblical story where the seas calmed only after Jonah was thrown off the ship.

‍So, why opt for Solomon?

‍It’s simple: I resonate more with what Solomon embodies—a figure of wisdom, wealth, and kingship.

‍Over recent years, delving deeper into my self-understanding, I’ve identified a core motivation behind my actions: the pursuit of wisdom.

‍And wisdom is simply the application of knowledge.

‍Knowledge is not power, but the right application of knowledge at the right time, is power.

‍When you have wisdom, you make the right decisions, you say the right things, and you take the right actions.

With wisdom, you can make the most of your life and achieve what you want—and that’s what I aspire to have.

Even outside the realm of achievement, wisdom also guides the introspection necessary for living a life that one considers fulfilled and worth living.

The more I visualized these values and characteristics bundled into one being, the more I find resonance with the idea of King Solomon—that is who I want to become more of + who I believe I am (self-image).

‍Certainly, I could have remained Jonah while striving towards this new self-image. After all, we imbue our names with meaning.

‍It’s a flawed philosophy to allow the historical, spiritual, or possibly fictional connotations of a name to define our limits. And I believe, in my years on this earth so far, I have imbued the persona of Jonah with as positive a connotation as possible—at least, that was the intention.

‍In hindsight, operating as Jonah, I’ve always brought about blessings and evolution to “boats” I’ve joined instead of “bad luck.” So that was not a reason for the name change.

‍Yet, adopting the name Solomon signifies a deeper transformation for me, akin to the metamorphosis Kobe Bryant underwent when he adopted the “Black Mamba” moniker. It’s more than a name; it’s an identity.

‍In conclusion, while I’ve not altered my legal name (yet), I will be known as Solomon moving forward. Sol (pronounced “Soul”) works well for short.

‍Can you still call me Jonah? Absolutely, if that’s what you’re accustomed to.

‍But more importantly, I intend for this essay to prompts you to ponder:

• Who do you aspire to be?

• When someone inquires, “Who is [your name]?” what attributes or accomplishments do you want to spring to their mind?

• What does your current self-image reflect?

• Is this image positive or negative? Does it align with and support your aspirations and self-perception?

‍If there’s a discrepancy, consider ways to reconcile it. Sometimes, an unrecognized negative self-image is the barrier to achieving our desires.

‍Remember, changing your name isn’t obligatory for this transformation.

‍Your identity isn’t dictated by your name but by your self-perception.

‍The power to define who you are and who you become lies within you.

‍You choose who you want to be.