My name is watered down. The name Justin is not an uncommon name today in America, and a number of celebrities share it with me. However, I do have a nickname that contains more meaning for me: JMillz. This is a nickname that was given to me freshmen year by the JV Soccer coach at the time. It has meaning because up until then I had always been known as "Harry's brother" because my brother had gone through the program before me, but now I had my own name. I was no longer identified by my brother but I was my own person. I was finally being recognized for my skill on the field rather than my relationships off the field.
As a part of the soccer team there are many times where I am faced with the dilemma of being an individual and part of a larger whole. The whole in these situations is the soccer team, and as a member of the team I usually have to sacrifice who I am for the good of the team. To clarify, there are many times during games in which I have to choose between what I want to do on the field, and what I have to do for the sake of the team. For example, during a corner kick I always want to go up the field and try to score. It is something that every player wants to do because scoring is the only way to get recognition in soccer. However, if you ever choose to attend a Millbrook soccer game, you will almost never see me go up during a corner kick. This is because it is my job as a part of the team to stay back and make sure the other team can't attack us off the corner. I am sacrificing my own agenda and my own goals so that as a whole the team can achieve its goals. Any time someone is both an individual and part of a whole, there will be a conflict of interest and the individual will have to make a choice between what's best for them, and what's best for the group.
I agree completely with your sacrifice of being an individual and a team player during a soccer game. Cross country is a team sport and individual sport. Therefore, I am constantly fighting with the idea to compete against my teammates so I can be the best on the team and realizing that it is more important that my team has success than just me.
ReplyDeleteI think what you said about your nickname is really cool. The idea that before you basically had your brother name but then you were able to earn your own name based on your skills on the team. This is almost like a rite of passage kind of activity. I think it is interesting how meaningful a name can be to some people.
ReplyDeleteI love what you have said about your nickname. I have known you since Freshman year and have noticied that I call you "J-Millz" on the soccer field and Justin off of it. Not sure why exactly this is, or if it even has a deep meaning, but I feel that this is a really cool thing. I'm very glad that you enjoy this nickname and will continue to call you this!
ReplyDeleteI think its really nice that you found an identity in your nickname breaking free from the title of your brother's brother. I think its kind of interesting that your actual name has less meaning to you due to it being a popular name, my name is a common name as well but in my case I find it to have a lot of meaning to me, theres a lot of contrast between that.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting that you say your name has been "watered down" which alludes to the fact that it is weaker. I think your name has actually been enhanced by the nickname "JMillz" because it is so rich in meaning to you. Soccer is something that is very important to you and the name has traveled off the field and into your daily life too, I think. I mean I even call you JMillz sometimes (probably because I am conforming to what I hear other friends say but oh well). Anyways, I am happy for you that you feel you have your own identity now and hopefully you can take that with you into adult life.
ReplyDeleteJustin,
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right that we are a community and must work together for the greater good of the team. Our coach is always telling us to stick with the game-plan and not worry about individual stats. Being a cohesive team has likely been a leading cause of our success. Keep up the good work.
Nice post! I can definitely empathize with being know only by your relationship to your siblings. I have often been called "Ben's brother", because he did a lot of the same activities that I do now, only 4 years earlier. It certainly has an impact on your perception of your own indivuduality, and I can agree that having my own nickname has allowed me to break out of the limited shell that is "Ben's brother". Your soccer team reference is also very well explained! I also play soccer, and since I play goalkeeper it is even more important for me to be a part of the team while also working to improve my own skills.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
-- Thomas
Great post- it obviously sparked a lot of connections and reflections based on the number of comments!
ReplyDelete