putting out my tattoos

(source)

I am a fan of tattoo art. I think everyone knows that paying someone to embed your skin with ink is a risk. Permanency is a risk. I think many connect tattoos with the concept of permanency.

Through the course of life I think that we often wish we could have a "do over" and there are instances when we relish what we give, what we send, what we proclaim. Be it love, disgust, shame, glee, words, art, movement we all must take responsibility for our "tattoos" so to speak.

When a politician makes a statement it is forever in history, when a porn actor makes a film their actions are forever blatant, when someone you love slams a door the long memory will keep it alive, when you taste something divine it sticks, when you love with your might your body and mind remembers the energy spent.

What are your tattoos?

As an introverted person I seem to get a lot of attention. I receive attention because it seems that many are uncomfortable with my introversion. My gentle nature appears to be one of my many tattoos.

Every day that I decide to work towards loving others and myself is a stamp. Every day that I am courageous enough to make an unpopular, against the grain statement, I am at risk. When I advocate, when I dissociate, when I encourage, when I run, when I hide, I am making statements that have meaning. I think it takes bravery for us to do much of what we do and much of what we dream of.

As I grow older I am becoming more and more aware of this. I suppose it is in this awareness that permanency becomes all the more real. I am living this way. I am putting out my tattoos.