The Story Behind My Tattoo

I think I have already talked about this on here a little bit, but I'm too lazy to go back and re-read all of my entries to figure out where I did so.  So, you get another one.  Enjoy.

Wednesday, on my 28th birthday, I went and got my first tattoo.  It's something I've been thinking about for almost two years, so it was obvious to me that I really wanted one.  I chose an infinity symbol with the words "Choose Joy" integrated into the loops, so it means to always and forever choose joy. 

I really do think it is possible to choose joy.  A very important person in my life chooses the opposite.  She's not happy unless she is unhappy.  She always sees the negative side of things and has alienated 99% of her friends because of silly things that she sees as huge slights against her.  She's lonely and not very happy.  Because of her influence on me, I sometimes have a tendency to immediately turn towards the negative as well.  But, I realize that I don't have to.  I can choose to be happy...I can choose joy.

I'm not saying that I'm happy 100% of the time, but I at least try not to show it and try not to put my unhappiness on others.  I also try not to be by myself at times when I am sad.  It's amazing how just sitting on the couch with someone, watching one of the Real Housewives franchises can instantly put you in a better mood.  If you surround yourself with happy people, it's easy to be happy.

So, my friend C went with me Wednesday to hold my hand and not tell anyone if I cried.  Well, I am here to tell you that I didn't cry.  I didn't even curse, which for me, is HUGE.  The tattoo is on my left ribcage.  It wasn't too awfully painful, except for the "CH" because they're right on a bone.  Yeah, I definitely felt those.  But the whole process was a great experience.  My tattoo artist Jon was very professional and gentle, and I was done in a little over 30 minutes.  I love the design he came up with and I couldn't be happier that I did it.  Even though most people will never see the tattoo, I now carry a constant reminder to choose joy, wherever I go.

I'll end with the story of how I told my mother I was getting a tattoo.  This occured over a month ago and she has never brought it up again, so I'm guessing she is choosing to pretend it didn't happen.  I'm not going to tell her otherwise.

Me:  Mom, I have something very important to tell you.  I am getting a tattoo on my birthday.
Mom:  (bursts into tears) Anna Charles, they're so tacky!
Me:  You don't even know what I'm getting or where.
Mom:  I don't want to know.  I never want to know. 
Me:  (getting frustrated) Mom, the only people that are ever going to see this tattoo are the ones that see me naked! (cringe...)
Mom:  WHAT?!?!  AND HOW MANY PEOPLE SEE YOU NAKED?!?!
Me:  Not that many! (cringe again...I was honestly thinking of my spray tanner, my lady doctor, etc., but I know how it sounds.)
Mom:  NOT THAT MANY?!?!
Me:  Oh fuck.

Yeah.  That went well.  We decided to hang up after that.  This has now become one of my new favorite stories, for obvious reasons.  And now you can see why the tattoo has not been mentioned since.

Thanks, as always, for reading.  Have a happy Friday and an even better weekend!