So since Sundays are supposed to be a day of rest, and I suppose of all days Easter should be, I’m re-purposing an old Facebook post for y’all, but it’s a goodie. This is the story of my first tattoo–that is both tied to my writing and my spirituality–so I think fitting.
From February 2, 2019:
So I got my first tattoo today at the ripe old age of 37. Thanks Hannah!
Ive been wanting this tattoo since a sermon my pastor gave on October 4, 2015. However, Ive been busy, you know having babies and whatnot, so it took a bit for me to pull the trigger.
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Im a spiritual person, but dont make it to church often. But this one message really resonated with me. My pastor spoke of the power of yes. That yes is ultimately a word of affirmation that we are all looking to hear.
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This yes represented many things. Saying yes to God, and God saying yes to you in return. The life-giving force when parents say yes to their newborn, though figuratively by their embrace. The yeses we deliver and receive when agreeing to marriage, offering or receiving a new job, acceptance to college, or even to sit at someones lunch table. Yes to life, yes to ourselves, yes to each other.
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To me, the longer Ive dwelled on it, yes is not only affirmation and acceptance, but empowerment and attitude and ultimately fearlessness. Of course, there are times to say no. But arent we all looking to hear a little more yes in our lives?
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So when my husband looks at me and says, Hey babe, lets take X trip. I try to say yes whenever I can, even when in my head there may be more work and personal hassle than might make it worthwhile. When my 4YO little girl says, Mommy lets build this STEM toy (which is always time-consuming), more often than not, I try to put the dishes and the laundry out of my head, and say yes, baby, lets do it, and her joy is so simple and fulfilling.
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Less than a year ago, when I had a respected colleague at my day job asked me if I was interested in moving departments, to head up something under him that was new to me and challenging, and leave behind the autonomy and comfort of something Id known and owned for almost 12 years, I took that leap of faith, and said yes, following the advice of another mentor who told me shed to grow.
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And for here, this account where I share my pursuit of becoming a published romance author, I say yes as an affirmation to myself and my writing, that I believe in the works Im creating, in myself, and that I can do it. Placing this ink in my own handwriting, on my right forearm where I can see it, every time that Im writing, is my special reminder.
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So tonight as I relax with a glass of wine and contemplate my new and first! tattoo, I smile at having said yes to this little adventure. I went solo for myself and by myself, and cant wait to continue to say yes to more adventures, to God, to writing, to fearlessness… knowing fear is the edge of opportunity. And to deal affirmation out as often as possible to all the people I love.
NOTE from today Easter Sunday 2021: I’m now going for my 3rd tattoo soon. Yes, they’re addictive!