The Bee

Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.

“A feminine name of Hebrew origin, Debra means “bee” and is the short form of Deborah. This Biblical title can be found in the Old Testament Book of Judges. Deborah was a heroine and prophetess and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible.” Google

Debra as in me

I prefer Deb. Debra is quite a strong sound, and any child familiar with being full named when they were in trouble will understand why it feels like a telling off to me. Deb is friendly, simple, and doesn’t use unnecessary letters.

It doesn’t feel like my name though.

It’s interesting that I have a Jewish name as my father was adopted into a Jewish family. He wasn’t Jewish as such though. I don’t feel Jewish either, or Christian. I identify as soul and therefore all races, genders, colours, and creeds. Probably including a lot we haven’t heard of on this small planet.

Heroine – Prophetess – Judge

It’s interesting that the biblical Deborah was those powerful things, although I don’t see myself as a heroine. I do have an ability to intuit the future, and I guess I attempt to use my voice in a similar way.

I don’t feel like a prophetess, I feel like a despairing person screaming into the void where her voice gets lost amongst the fear that drives this planet.

I have always been credited with a clear but compassionate mind, and told that I have good judgment (please note that doesn’t mean I judge). I’m often uncannily accurate.

I did well in my history degree due to my ability to compose and deliver an argument, to present both sides, and come to a clear conclusion. I guess that’s a judge-y type ability.

One of my favourite comments about me was that I should have been a Barrister, because if the opposing council had thrown me a curve ball it wouldn’t have taken me six seconds to work out why that was entirely their fault.

Had I been more together when I was young and had the chance to discover who I was, the legal profession should definitely have been on my list. Prosecution though. I could not defend a guilty person if I knew that to be the case. I can’t lie.

An author was obviously on the cards too. As was Prime Minister, I kid you not I was once declared to be the next Margaret Thatcher, that didn’t impress me. However, I’m kicking myself right now for hating politics because I would be using this voice for peace any which way I could with every bit of power I could muster.

I’d also go through this country like a swathe putting things right and bringing in some real justice to our society. No rats as bedfellows in my country!

Interesting

That I have a lot in common with the origins and meaning of my name, including my dad’s adopted family.

I am sort of a prophetess trying to help a little bit. I’m not a heroine as such but I’ve definitely had to fight for myself and I try to do that for others. I do have a legal style mind and a passion for justice.

I just haven’t been able to be(e) the name. Acute anxiety didn’t beat me, but it did compromise my younger years and my ability to forge ahead.

However, I do try to live up to the bee. Flitting from flower to flower with ideas that I hope can be adapted to be useful to others, trying to pollinate happiness.

So I’m more the insect than the woman, and more the solitary bee than the worker bee. I’d have loved to be part of a huge hive, but my life didn’t work out that way. Writers are meant to be reclusive aren’t they? 🤣

If you want me I’ll be nesting in a hollow flower stem somewhere soaking up the sun. Bee-ing me…

Deb xx