Sunday Jack: What's in a name.

One of the first things we learn about Capt. Jack Sparrow is that he doesn't just go by Jack Sparrow,  it is always Captain Jack Sparrow.  All four movies bear record of the pride he takes in his name.  Here's a brief review of the scene where Jack's name is first learned. In Curse of the Black Pearl, he has just saved Elizabeth Swann, the Governer of Port Royal's daughter, from drowning.  Of course he isn't out of trouble because he's Jack, and is confronted by Commodore Norrington of the British Navy. 

Norrington:  "Well well, Jack Sparrow isn't it?'

Jack,  "Captain Jack Sparrow."

Later in the scene:

Norrington:  "You are without a doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of."

Jack:  "But you have heard of me."

Jack escapes capture for the moment and leaves these parting words

Jack:  "Gentlemen, my Lady, you will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!"

That's most definitely Captain Jack Sparrow and many future scenes bear humorous record of it.

The lesson I gathered from this is to take pride in one's name and of who you are.  Jack is not the richest, best dressed, socially accepted, cleanest person on the planet but he claims his name proudly.  I believe he does this for two reasons:  his heritage and comfort with his life's story so far.

I personally am proud of my heritage.  I realize that I am not the lone member of my family, but simply a strand in the web that joins me to my ancestors, past and future.  Most of mine are originally from England and came as settlers to America.  From there, they were pioneers in crossing the American plains and settling the West.  That foundation allowed me to be born and raised in a great environment and to freely accomplish what I choose to.  It's funny but at times I will look at the state of my life and say, "Are my grandparents proud of me?".  I have gaged success and failure on this one question many times. 

If you don't know much about your family, find out.  It's fascinating and there are many web sites that can help you with your genealogy.  Your history gives you both roots and wings.

As far as one being comfortable with your life story, names and deeds can live on in infamy.  Think of Martin Luther King or Hitler, Joan or Arc or Biblical Abel:  history remembers them for the good or bad they accomplished.  How would you like your name to be remembered?  To quote a song by REO Speedwagon:  "If you're tired of the same old story, baby turn some pages." 

If you aren't in a great environment, no excuses, make your own. That's what I'm being forced to do right now being a newly divorced, single mother...create new circumstances.  How will future generations remember me?   To a great extent, I get to choose it.  I can promise that the focus will be on accomplishing wonderful things for others that would make first, my Father in Heaven, then me, my family, my ancestors, and perhaps even society proud. 

So take pride in your name and live to shout it out loud.  Later mates!