2 Warnings before you get that tattoo

I got a tattoo 2 years ago. After living with it every day for 730 days I have 2 opinions.

First: A tattoo is permanent, even if you use laser removal, the outline of the once inked tattoo will be visible on your skin. Unless you are sure, the picture or sentence would carry the same meaning your entire life, don’t do it. Hard truth is life changes, and with it, your once beloved tattoo becomes a painful reminder of past.

My tattoo of a single heart beat, reminds me of my mother, who is not here today. She was going through brutal cancer treatments; I got it to put in mind that as long you have a heartbeat, you should still fight to live. 1 year later in 2019 she died. Now I live with the realization that no matter how big or pompous the ideology is, nature always wins. Some fights are futile. You might as well go with peace.

If you really really really want a tattoo, get a temporary one for three months and see how you feel about it. Never do it on an impulse. The above one will be there with me till I die, in my 90s or like my mom in 50s.

Second: Nowadays, if any one asks, I put a spin to the tattoo story. I tell them and myself that, it doesn’t matter if you loose a fight, what matters is you are alive now. So at least choose a tattoo which can support multiple meanings. In my heart of hearts, I am mad at my mom for not making it alive, for loosing, for dying — an irrational irritation for life not happening how we wished. But it is not healthy, I have to stick to the second story that I have a heart beat now and for all practical purposes, it would do.

Reference for first image : google images