The Power of Proper Names

There is a subtle, deep magic in hearing your own name spoken with respect. It is the most personal sound in the world. I have started making a conscious effort to learn and use the names of the people I see every day—the security guard at the office, the barista, the person who cleans the gym. When you use someone's name, you are signaling that they are not just a background character in your story. They are the protagonist of their own.

For National Kindness Week 2026, this is one of the easiest ways to make a major impact. It only takes a second to look at a name tag or to ask, 'I am sorry, I do not think I caught your name?' But the shift in the atmosphere is immediate. The interaction goes from being transactional to being personal. You have built a tiny bridge of recognition between two human souls.

This practice forces us to slow down and pay attention. You cannot use someone's name if you are busy staring at your phone or thinking about your next meeting. It requires you to be present. It is a form of mindfulness that is directed outward. It grounds you in the 'here and now' with the person standing right in front of you. It is a beautiful way to honor their dignity.

Try it today. If you go to a shop, look for a name. If you meet someone new, repeat their name back to them. Use it naturally in the conversation. Watch how their posture changes. Watch how they light up. It is a small key that opens a very large door of human connection. Kindness is often just about acknowledging that we all exist together.