one.earlymorn

Even the most highly regarded modern symbols of independence and individuality hold close ties to age-old patterns, traditions, and yearnings. It is time we speak of tattoos.

The ritual of choice for the youth today: tattoos. The messages involved: ‘I own me’, ‘Here’s my freedom’, ‘At least something about me will have meaning’, ‘I don’t care/nothing matters’… there’s all kinds of momentary reasons people get tattoos. There are all kinds of enduring reasons, as well. In any case, there’s a common root, in my observations, that all the reasons (at their core, anyway) share: permanence. There’s a seriousness about a tattoo that drives it up to the top of the list of ways to declare a thing. It’s permanent. It’s a statement.

However, it’s far more often a way for younger adults and teens to express their seriousness (or lack there of, and their seriousness about not being serious) about anything, than for more adult adults. Much of this, I think, is due to a tattoo’s immediate gratification of this desire; leading, variably, to regrets later, though not necessarily. Young people are typically more likely to make quick decisions and act upon them than older and wiser people. There are a lot of reasons why that is, but I won’t go into detail about it now.

From my perspective, which all of this is anyway… Older people don’t see the need to get a tattoo like younger people do because they don’t serve much of a purpose. The people who see them don’t often benefit from them; those who have them don’t, either. The statements that are made by them often either don’t last in intensity or value, and the views or feelings expressed by them are not only often temporary, but are better expressed through the way a person lives their life. Nothing is really said about a person by putting a symbolic picture on them about a thing, but rather, the observation of that thing’s effect on their life is far more potent and tangible than an ever-fading drawing which will one day sag and disfigure with old age. In as much as tattoos amount to little more than words or ideas, I think these things are more or less true and should be regarded before any tattoo purchase. However, being a person with tattoos that I do not regret and of the mindset that my tattoos even have a purpose, I must explain myself further. Especially since I still entertain the idea that more tattoos would be a desirable thing for myself.

A more youthful look at things, perhaps, but mine, none the less:

A tattoo, like anything, needs a purpose; a meaning; a reason to be and to continue to be. A momentary reason won’t do since that won’t provide for a continuing reason to be in existence. A shallow reason won’t do, either. No, there needs to be a damn good reason to get a tattoo, and frankly, if not a damn good one, then a dramatic realization of what a tattoo is: an everlasting decoration that will never change and will follow you into all situations, occasions, and events, up to, and including, a change of mind/direction/preference. Think of it like this: you’re picking out wall paper for the rest of your life, choose wisely.

Anyway, a tattoo, to me, can indeed say something, and echo it through life until death, but only in accompaniment with a person’s corresponding lifestyle, which continues to proclaim the same message. When that lifestyle ceases to be, then the tattoo becomes nothing but a reminder of the past, always; for better or worse.

My tattoos deal with and express the timeless and important truths of my faith.  I’ve resolved, in fact, that all my tattoos will have significance that lasts beyond my 20’s, 30’s, etc; beyond my youth.  Love for family and my God are my main themes, and no tattoo that revolves around anything else has lasted as an appealing thought, nor would I accept them as a choice if they did; I’m simply all too aware of my fickle nature.

Another thing about my tattoos: they open up conversations about Jesus with others whom I would have no other immediate way to bring up the subject with.  Whether it’s a passive remark or a direct question, I wear my faith on my sleeve.  (or just under it)

So then, my closing statements:

In my observations of why people get tattoos, I far too often find that momentary infatuations influence a decision more than timeless values.  For this reason, I support those tattoo artists who are selective beyond drunk/not drunk in who they will service with a chosen decoration.

Much like belly button rings, tattoos are most certainly NOT for everyone, but hey, it’s never too late to invest in some timeless values like love, faithfulness, a servant heart, and an intelligent/thoughtful pursuit of an infinite God.  If God’s not infinite, he’s not God; he’s finite.  And nothing finite is worth the long-haul.

Side thought:  If God has a person-hood, then God has a characteristic way of being, this does not necessarily limit God, then, in ability, but in willingness.  It’s not ‘can God?’, but ‘would God?’.