What's in a name? (And what's in a blog?)

I got on the computer this morning (after having been woken far too early by the sound of "MEOW!") and decided that now would be a brilliant time to begin that blog I've been thinking about for awhile now.  Okay, all logged in, so far so good, and now... shoot!  I didn't think about what I wanted to name this blog!  For that matter, I don't even have a subject for this blog set in stone yet!  Sure, I have some ideas... some stories I want to tell... but what if I give this blog a specific name, and it evolves into something... else?  What if the name doesn't fit anymore!  Who knew I'd be hemming and hawing over such details at six o'clock in the morning.

My first thought was something about miracles.  Specifically--furry miracles.  Many of the stories I want to tell revolve around animals.  But then again, what if my blog transforms to be about others things as well?  "Furry miracles" sounds kind of cheesy, too.  Let's face it.

Then I thought about my life, all the changes I've been through, and the theme of "awakening" came up.  Because awaking to our lives is an ongoing process, I thought perhaps "Ongoing Awakening" would be a good title.  This time, however, I felt it might sound too vague.  The poet in me wanted a more dynamic word--something interesting, image-provoking, inspiring.

After browsing my internet Thesaurus for awhile, I came across the verb "kindle."  To spark, to ignite, to catch fire, to burst into flame, to become bright, to glow, to become inflamed, to be stirred up, to rise.  I love the image it brings to mind--the tiny spark that catches, and grows into something more.  "Kindle" quickly evolved to "kindling," which can be used like a verb (ex. He is kindling a fire) or can be used as a noun (ex. He put kindling in the fire).  I like the word "kindling" because it draws my attention to another word hidden within it--"kind."  I think kindness is critical in the world.  It's certainly critical in my own life, and shapes how I interact with everything around me.  The word "kindling" made me think of a new poetic meaning--"a small, kind soul."  Think "fledgling."  Tack a "ling" on the end of a being and it brings to mind something little, or perhaps something just starting out.  An infant, or perhaps just something humble and often overlooked. 

I'd found my word.

I added "dreams" to the mix because it resonated with me.  I am trying to kindle my dreams, help them grow.  I think I may also be a "kindling" who dreams--a small kind soul who dreams of contributing beauty to this exquisite world.

Perhaps this blog will help me share those dreams with you.