What do you believe?

Tattoos have been around a long time, probably even longer than you might know! In fact, I did a report in college on “The Iceman” Otzi in who lived between 3400 and 3100 BCE. He was found in 1991 in a glacier with 61 body tattoos. CRAZY! The tattoos were clustered around the body in areas that (in theory) could have been marked to show where Otzi had pain. The tattoos could have been some type of acupuncture if you will. But as you know, he’s not alive to ask, so this is just one theory that they believe…

If you choose to believe that theory, tattoos have evolved a bit since 3400 BCE. I’ve seen many people with beautiful, outrageous, ridiculous, and meaningful works of art all over their body. Some so incredibly detailed, and yet some so simple in meaning. Growing up I didn’t quite understand what tattoos meant. My Grandpa had a few on his arm that were sorely in need of a touch up, and I noticed a few of my cousins had some as well. But as I got older I realized that tattoos mean something different to each person who have them.

My sister and I decided in 2010 that we were going to get our first tattoo. We wanted to do something together and we decided to check getting a tattoo off of the bucket list! We were so excited! But we had no idea what we were going to do. There’s a lot of pressure behind thinking about what will be permanently inked on your body for the rest of your life. It seriously took us 2 whole years to come up with a design and decision on what were going to get.

1. Belief In Myself

I’ve made the decision over a year ago I was going to change my life. I was going to live intentionally and I was going to do things that I never thought I could do. In order to do that I needed to change my beliefs that have developed in my early programming. For instance the belief that I was the victim and that the world was out to get me. The belief that I wasn’t smart enough to be a writer, brave enough to be a mother, or tough enough to be a leader. I just didn’t believe in myself because I felt I had not proved anything to myself in order TO believe. I changed habits and behaviors slowly one by one until I made the realization that your life is what you believe it is. This tattoo is my reminder, my anchor, that I am what I believe EVERY DAY and I can do whatever I believe I can do.

2. Belief In Me From My Sister

My tattoo is in my sisters handwriting. This is symbolic to me in so many ways but the way that means the most to me is a reminder to me that she is TELLING me to believe, and reminding me to believe in myself. She’s in my corner full of unconditional love, support, and friendship. It represents our bond for everything that we have been through together and will go through in the future. And she has the same word on her arm in my wriring as a reminder that I believe so much in her as well.

3. Belief in Humanity

This one has had me shook lately from everything that has been going on. Shootings, racism, and corruption…just to name a few. This tattoo is a reminder to me to believe that most people are good. That I feel most people want to do the right thing. And most of all my belief that there are people that want to make the world a better place. It’s hard because “better” means something different to everyone according to their beliefs. “Better” to me is a world of kindness, opportunity, and people working together. To grow with one another and to remember that we are all human and that we are in this TOGETHER.

I have so many amazing people in my life that I have the honor to know and learn from. I believe in each and every one of you, and if there is one thing that I wish for you to believe in… it is to truly believe in yourself. And once you believe in yourself, you can do anything you believe you can. Like skydiving for your 30th birthday. Or running a half marathon. Or having an exceptional marriage. Or getting a tattoo. ❤

What is one belief that you need to let go of that’s holding you back?