SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

The Perfect Tattoo.. for (me!) mrs sandra mickanen (topps! writeousmom!)

 tattoos are a form of fashion too, arent they.  and for artists, the skin is just another empty canvas.  

regarding my courage tattoo, 

i knew where, before i knew what..

and i knew where, because when my kids were little, we used to sometimes just play with make-up, draw on each others faces, and there was something extra i liked about the canvas area on the cheek, near the eye..   a cute spot for cute things..   [will find pix of my daughter with a little heart drawn there..]

anyway,  the where entered my mind/heart around.. year 2000, 

but i did not get my courage tattoo until 2006, when i was 40 years old.   on some day with which i cannot be specific, i was shopping..

guess where

MAGIC OF MACY'S of course..   and i came across a t-shirt with a super cool looking symbol on the front, and the word COURAGE  (i remember be research..) on the back.    and i knew so instantaneously:  that's my what.     and i cannot be specific, but that t-shirt was folded in my dresser drawer and i'd come across it now and then..

and then, one day..  just called around for a tattoo shop that would take a walk-in.  showed up, as requested with a picture of what i wanted..        -remember the place was in dublin, ca; remember the artist's nickname was droopy  [because of his bedroom eyes]

and in 2006 having a tattoo on your face was not so common.  they are ubiquitous today, -as is social media and posting pictures and getting lots of feedback from both supporters and mean, mean haters

i can't say that if i was in my late teens, early 20's.. 30's..  that i could have fielded all the feedback

but by 40, [and in the absence of even having to deal with in 2006, what people deal with today]; i was completely prepared.    it turns out; if i like or love something enough on my own

no other opinions can sway me.  "thank you!" for the compliments; and my favorite response for haters:

   -your liking it was not my criteria for getting it.

****

anyway..  i consciously did this for more than just 'cute spot for cute things' reasons.  i was also aware that, the same way commercials work  -repeating, repeating, repeating a message..

i could create my own commercial, with my own message; use my own peripheral vision; proactively place my own subliminal message; by me, and for me.

where the message would be seen, repeated to my mind/heart, heart/mind, every. single. day: you are courageous.

and in fact, i never did look at my face everyday in the mirror while washing, brushing teeth and putting on make-up and say out loud, i am courageous or anthing like that;   -but what i knew, is that

the icon for courage; the symbol..  my mind was catching sight of it every time i looked in the mirror..  and not itemizing the words..  you are courageous..

but the message was (and is to this day) being received and repeated and received and repeated by my heart/mind daily

and for those of you familiar with the number and severity of traumas i've been required to transcend; you will immediately understand how necessary the daily, ongoing repetition of this message to my heart/mind has been.

and i love my tattoo!  i've had fun making up stories about what it means (to people who ask, but i guess wont really be looking it up...)   the 'what it means' answer has morphed from year to year...  different answer for different people at different places..  /all here in this blog somewhere...

but i've returned, really, to just answering with 'courage'      "stripes i've earned on life's journey"

 and, let's say you see a military service person, and they have those embroidered stripes on their uniform. i'm guessing when they get dressed, glance in the mirror, there is a certain good feeling attached

i have a good feeling permanently attached to my tattoo.

hallelujah! selah! amen! 

#fashion #macys #tattoo #courage

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 5:57 PM