but in light of recent events - I felt like it should be addressed again. I'm curious as to other's thoughts....
Feel free to chime in.....
Everyone is entitled to an opinion - but don't "JUDGE" me for mine.
I have an appointment to get my next tattoo (keep in mind that I have two small ones already. Wrist and lower back)
This one is going to be a half-sleeve... TOP of arm.
It is a collage of many different things that I want incorporated into the tattoo. It is bits and pieces of who I am shoved into one work of arm that will be displayed on my upper arm.
I have attached a pic of the "ideas" going into this work. Mine will have pieces of these, it will be nothing LIKE any of these alone ;-)
Now - there are a few members of my friends and family that are, for various reasons, very distraught about this choice I have made.
First of all - I am a MOM!!!!!!!!! Apparently "moms" aren't supposed to do stuff like this. Let's keep in mind I AM in fact a mother, but I'm NOT 72! I also sky dive and power lift and go on spontaneous vacations.... When you turn into a mom, is there like a rule that all fun and self expression must stop?? I'm confused by this??!! I plan to STILL be a PERSON at 72!!!
I AM a mom..... but I'm not JUST a mom!
Secondly - people will look at me bad.... like a delinquent or a thug I guess?? Some kind of hellion?? Maybe? I don't know. Maybe they will..... or maybe they already do? But getting a tattoo on my arm doesn't prove or disapprove that judgement.
I guess my problem with this "reasoning" is that I just have a problem with judgement in general. Period. I know people do it. But I try not to. So in response to that - I don't care if people DO judge me. Because I don't live my life that way. You are either my friend and know me well enough NOT to judge... or you don't know me well enough and in that case, your "judgement" doesn't affect me?
I know everyone says that they don't care what people think... but we all do - at least to some level. But as far as judgement regarding who I am based on a piece of art I have put on my arm - yeh - I don't care!!!
What about this one...... I am defacing my temple. Defacing? NO. I'm decorating. I'm not cutting my arm off or injuring myself or doing things that cause me to love my faith or my God any less. I'm not causing my temple to be used for the devil! I'm NOT getting satanic LINGO tattooed on my forehead!!! So how is it defacing my temple??
My ears are pieced.... oh dear - I put HOLES in my body!!!
I wear makeup.... oh dear I look pale and sick without it - how DARE I put things on to look better!
I drink caffeine. It's a DRUG! I have defiled my temple.
I. Cut. My. HAIR!!!
NO
No to all of that!!!!
I don't by any means think that WEARING my art and what I consider to be symbolism of my life in pictures to be defiling my temple.
I don't love Jesus any less after getting a tattoo.
Does it affect my WITNESS of being a Christian??? NO. It shouldn't. Unless you are one of those "judgmental" Christians that are too busy looking down your nose and judging others, to worry about your own actions.
How I "look" shouldn't affect if people see Christ in me or not. That is shown in my witness.. in my character... in my HEART.... not on my ARM!
I understand that there are generational gaps.
I understand that there are people who grew up in a time where tattoos were only for army guys and trashy men and women... I understand that you may still look at them that way.
And that's ok if you choose to stick to those beliefs as you were raised.
But do you also not have a TV in your house? Because I think at one time they were referred to as a thing of the devil infiltrating your house???
Are you so stuck on the "rules" that you miss the blessings that come from change??
I am not saying that tattoos are for everyone. If you don't like them and you don't want one, that is your decision. What I am saying is.... how fair is it of you to go around judging people who like and choose to WEAR tattoos!!!?
Are you so closed minded that you must assume that someone who has a tattoo is most definitely, without a doubt, a bad parent, a Satan worshiper, a thug, or a delinquent?
Just call me an inconsiderate thug I guess....... because I have wanted and planned this sleeve for years, and I"m pretty stoked about it!
And for all of you that want to judge or are afraid that I'm ruining my life.... well... I guess if you think getting some ink put on my arm is suddenly going to destroy everything in my life... then wow - you put aLOT of power in an ink gun!
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