my name

Tera. That's the name my parents gave me, and I love it. When I was young, many people asked me if I was named after the plantation in Gone With The Wind. It is spelled Tara, and it means goddess of the sea or hill of kings. Others asked if I was named after the earth, as in Terra.

I hadn't been named after either, but I was curious to find out the meaning of my name. One fateful day in elementary school, I went to the library determined to find the truth. I found only one reference to the word 'tera' with my spelling. Tera is a Greek word for monster. 

I still love my name. In fact, knowing the meaning makes me love it even more. I know now what my parents didn't when they selected my name. I know that there really is a bit of a monster bouncing around within me. I don't think it's a mean or scary beast, but it is loud, and it wants adventure. This monster has a constant yearning for movement and change.  

How do I tame the beast? I don't. But how do I feed the monster's cravings for adventure? I live the life God gave me. It's as simple as that.

My life is filled with change and challenge. I do my best to interpret challenge as adventure. I do my best to tackle each adventure God chooses to put into my life. I look for opportunities to travel, to discover, to learn. And when I do, the monster and I live in harmony. He is fed, and I am content.