Beautiful readings for your naming ceremony
Naming ceremonies are made all the more special by choosing the perfect readings. These might be delivered my parents, friends, other family members, or guideparents and they make for really beautiful moments where your sentiments for your little one can be spoken aloud. Here are some of my all-time favourite readings that are just perfect for weaving into your naming ceremony.
'Home' by Donna Ashworth
To my children
whatever choices you make in this life
wherever you go
whomever you choose
to share it with
I want you to keep
coming home.
I want you to know
that in this fast-paced
crazy world
in which we live
you always have a safe place
to rest your weary head
and your heart.
This door
it will never close
not to you.
I will try
with all my might
to refrain from judging you.
I get it
this is your life now
your path
and you need to walk it your way
but I am here.
I have walked many paths too
so if you need any advice
ask me
I will always try
to see it your way.
The wonderful thing about family is
we need never face anything alone
and in that vein
anyone in your home
has a home in my home too.
Fly high
dream big
live loudly
love fiercely.
Show the world
what you are made of my love.
Show them your light
let it shine out there.
And when your light won't beam
the way it should
I will be here to help switch it back on.
Always.
From How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
“I loved her, instantly. Of course, most parents love their children instantly. But I mention it here because I still find it a remarkable thing. Where was that love before? Where did you acquire it from? The way it is suddenly there, total and complete, as sudden as grief, but in reverse, is one of the wonders about being human.”
'Don't be Beautiful' by Nikita Gill
“They keep saying that beautiful is something a girl needs to be. But honestly? Forget that. Don’t be beautiful. Be angry, be intelligent, be witty, be klutzy, be interesting, be funny, be adventurous, be crazy, be talented - there are an eternity of other things to be other than beautiful. And what is beautiful anyway but a set of letters strung together to make a word? Be your own definition of amazing, always. That is so much more important than anything beautiful, ever.”
From Neil Gaiman's speech, 'Make Good Art'
“Go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here.”
'Reasons to Live Through the Apocalypse' by Nikita Gill
Sunrises. People you have still to meet and laugh with. Songs about love, peace, anger, and revolution. Walks in the woods. The smile you exchange with a stranger when you experience beauty accidentally together. Butterflies. Seeing your grandparents again. The moon in all her forms, whether half or full. Dogs. Birthdays and half-birthdays. That feeling of floating in love. Watching birds eat from bird feeders. The waves of happiness that follow the end of sadness. Brown eyes. Watching a boat cross an empty sea. Sunsets. Dipping your feet in the river. Balconies. Cake. The wind in your face when you roll the car window down on an open highway. Falling asleep to the sound of a steady heartbeat. Warm cups of tea on cold days. Hugs. Night skies. Art museums. Books filled with everything you do not yet know. Long conversations. Long-lost friends. Poetry.
'Born Yesterday' by Phillip Larkin
Tightly-folded bud,
I have wished you something
None of the others would:
Not the usual stuff
About being beautiful,
Or running off a spring
Of innocence and love—
They will all wish you that,
And should it prove possible,
Well, you’re a lucky girl.
But if it shouldn’t, then
May you be ordinary;
Have, like other women,
An average of talents:
Not ugly, not good-looking,
Nothing uncustomary
To pull you off your balance,
That, unworkable itself,
Stops all the rest from working.
In fact, may you be dull—
If that is what a skilled,
Vigilant, flexible,
Unemphasised, enthralled
Catching of happiness is called.
From 'Continue' by Maya Angelou
My wish for you
Is that you continue
Continue
To be who and how you are
To astonish a mean world
With your acts of kindness
Continue
To allow humor to lighten the burden
Of your tender heart
Continue
'Be in Love' by Donna Ashworth
Be in love
with your life
every minute
it's your trail
blaze it and blaze it brightly.
Be in love
with yourself
think of how you'd like to be loved
and make it happen
show the way for others.
Be in love
with your partner
really love them
as if there were no tomorrow
and all you have is
right here right now.
Be in love
with your home
never mind the mess
the things you don't like
pour some sparkle
on what you have.
Be in love
with your family
none are perfect
but they are your blood
and your history
you need each other in this life.
Be in love
with your job
look at all the positives
and be thankful you have it
if you can't
then change it
life's too short.
Be in love
with being in love
create that life
full of friendship
stolen kisses
unnecessary hugs
food for the soul.
From A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
“I have never been one of those people—I know you aren’t, either—who feels that the love one has for a child is somehow a superior love, one more meaningful, more significant, and grander than any other. I didn’t feel that before Jacob, and I didn’t feel that after. But it is a singular love, because it is a love whose foundation is not physical attraction, or pleasure, or intellect, but fear. You have never known fear until you have a child, and maybe that is what tricks us into thinking that it is more magnificent, because the fear itself is more magnificent. Every day, your first thought is not “I love him” but “How is he?” The world, overnight, rearranges itself into an obstacle course of terrors. I would hold him in my arms and wait to cross the street and would think how absurd it was that my child, that any child, could expect to survive this life.”
‘Welcome’ (Anon)
Welcome to sunlight
Welcome to the soft rain on your face
Welcome to the rush of the wind
Welcome to the hush of the sea
Welcome to much joy and a little sorrow
Welcome to birdsong
Welcome to music and laughter
Welcome to the leaves on the tree
Welcome to the miracle of words
Welcome to the whispering of rivers
Welcome to dreaming
Welcome to everything you can see and name
Welcome to your mother’s care
Welcome to your father’s smile
Welcome to the love of all here
Welcome to the world.
Songs for Our Sons by Ruth Doyle and Ashling Lindsay
Born on this star-scattered night,
Kissed by the cosmos -
A child made of moonbeams.
In your newborn cry, Songs of peace long for release. So unfurl your fragile fists, Little one.
The world holds its breath at the wonder you bring
All coiled-up potential, Like a seedling in spring.
So dance-up your dreams; Sing out your spirit-song And let the light that’s inside you, Guide you along.
Never change, Fib or follow, Just to try to fit in.
Be proud, free and happy In your own, unique skin.
Be a sequinned sparkler, A dynamic dazzler,
A kaleidoscopic colour-catcher.
Or a rain-bouncing, Puddle-pouncing,
Soil-squelching
Mud sculptor!
Honour your huge heart - Your feelings are real And pain is a big deal That crying can heal.
If anger invades you,
Breathe out long and slow
And let in the joy,
As the bad feelings go.
Your true power and value Can’t be measured in size.
So don’t judge or be judged By what’s seen with the eyes.
Be a nature-explorer, A wonder-discoverer
See the shapes inside snowflakes,
The path that the hare takes, Hear the rhythms the rain makes;
Birds singing as day breaks.
Keep a still place inside
That you can always call home
And know how to find it, Wherever you roam.
Weave wise words as weapons,
Be a barrier-breaking rapper
A champion of change
A fearless truth-writer
A tender defender
And non-violent fighter.
Knowing that we’re all the same inside, Rejoice in the differences you’ll find,
Be universally kind
And stand hand-in-hand With the whole human nation
In a chain-breaking, Life changing,
Mutual ovation.
So get ready for life, Planet earth has been waiting
For the gift that is you And the hope you’re creating.
Sing the song of your heart,
Be an enlightened wrong-righter And help build a world So much gentler and brighter.
Ready to plan your perfect naming ceremony? Drop me a message and let's get the ball rolling!