It's Just Morgan

From my time as an infant to middle school I had met one Morgan. I believed my name to be unique, a name that many people did not have. When I entered into middle school I met two other Morgans on the first day of sixth grade. I was so confused. I quickly had one of the names that teachers had to add a last name onto when calling on. I felt as though the uniqueness of my name had been stripped from me. I was no longer the only Morgan but one of three. It was during this time that I realized my name did not determine my uniqueness or individuality.

My name can not be shortened, it's just Morgan. My parents did this with intention. My dad has a habit of creating nicknames for everything and my mom did not want him to be able to shorten my name, she wanted me to be Morgan and only Morgan. My dads calls me "Me-F" because of my initials, mef. I am thankful that my name can not be shortened because I enjoy not having to go by another name. Throughout the past year many people have provided me with nicknames, finding ways of using the roots of my name. Morgz (with a s or z), Morgzan, Mo Flo, and Mo Mo have been used. None of these nicknames sound as nice as Morgan. It just becomes awkward when one tries to break down Morgan because it can not be done easily.

The name Morgan is from Celtic or Old English descent. It can be used for a girl or guy, but is most popularly used for girls in the United States. In many places Morgan means lives by the sea. Physically I do not live by the sea but I find peace while in coastal areas and the sea reminds me of adventures and times spent with friends and family. This meaning can describe me because of my love of the sea and everything that moves in it. Some researchers say that people with the name Morgan have a need for quiet, need to analyze the world around them, need to learn deep truths, and need adventure. This describes me in a nutshell. I hunger for all types of adventure and I am constantly searching for ways of making mundane activities adventurous. In addition, I spend a lot of time thinking about the world around me and analyzing everything around me. Morgan fits me perfectly, I could not imagine being called anything else.

Being an individual within a group can be difficult. I struggle with when to be an individual and when to blend in as part of a group. As a part of the dance company at Millbrook I have experienced this conflict. During some pieces the choreographer may decide to insert improv. When this happens directions are normally given about the dynamics. The improv may need to be sudden or sustained and at a high, medium, or low level. It is imperative that each individual follows these guidelines because otherwise attention will be drawn to one person. Every move by each individual is unique and all together there is a sense of continuity because of the consistent style used. It is during these times that it is easy to be an individual that is part of a group as a whole. However, when you are not given the solo in the dance or are not positioned in the front of the stage it can be easy to lose the sense of community and only become centered on yourself. Attitude is everything and when you hold a positive attitude it becomes possible to exist as a unique individual part of a larger group.