In our culture today tattoos are becoming widely accepted and more common. This is interesting to me because their history is not represented in what they stand for today. 
They can be found on mummies and soldiers dating back before Christ was born. Tattoos use to represent tribes, identify Holocaust victims, spiritual growth accomplishments, decoration, right of passage, or punishment. Today the purpose ranges from drunken mistake to body modification. I personal see tattoos as art and an outward representation of who we are. I myself currently have 6 tattoos and will continue to draw more up. For me, they each have 
a story, a meaning, a purpose, and I enjoy having them, and plan on getting more. Having a tattoo automatically initiates conversations with strangers even when you don't want to talk to anyone. Throughout my travels I have found it very interesting what people choose to ask you about your tattoo verses thing you think they would ask. Some simply make under the breath comments, others literally hold onto me and say "stay, 
I'm not done looking." One thing I have learned about having ink, is to always be ready for a conversation. I'll give you a few examples of what I am talking about. I was at the store picking up some items and I was facing the wall when I felt a hand on my shoulder. A young lady said, "can you just stand still for a second I am not done looking." 
So like always I stood there a minute or so longer and then walked away to purchase my items. As I was standing in the check out line a couple behind me were discussing between themselves in a whisper saying, "it just shows up and looks so much better on white people." I chose not turn around and ask questions, instead I continued to ease drop on a conversation about me. Another example, I was at a piercing place to get new jewelry, and you would think that the people working at this type of place would be well adjusted to tattoos and piercing considering the large population of people who come to these store have a lot of both. And yet I found myself being examined by the piercer, he was behind me knelt on the ground looking at my legs while I was looking at jewelry. The guy behind the counter said, "Andy what are you doing on the floor?" Andy's responds, "looking at her tattoos, they are awesome," and then he continued to ask me the meaning of them and the translation of others. Interesting enough these situations have occurred within the past month. Although not everyone is accepting of tattoos and others will show instant judgment on their face. It isn't about them! It's about me living my life and they just happen to be involved for a minute or two or longer. I am a firm believer in accepting others for who they are in their core, not but their appearance. To accomplish this and apply it to daily life it begins with the acceptance of self and who you really are. 
In a variety of interactions with others I have learned that most people are most judgmental on things they are insecure with in themselves. This is an interesting concept and also mind boggling. If this is completely true you can get to know someone's deepest secret but what they say about others. Interesting eh? I challenge you to true this theory out in your own life. Observe, NOT JUDGE others in daily interactions and see how they converse with people around them. And I dare you to talk with people you normally would avoid with all effort because you think they are weird or scary or mean. Go and talk to them and get to know who they are in their core, and stop judging them by their outward appearance!If you have questions, post um up!!!
