Changing the Way We Look at a Tattoo

I knew my life would change after I received my first tattoo. I was willing to be looked at differently, and judged before anyone would ask. There are many reasons not to get a tattoo, and for every one reason there is two to three reasons to get a tattoo. I will name a few factors to think about before I decided to have my skin changed forever. Religion, family, social standards, and beliefs, I had to think of the outcome and make the decision that would change the way the world saw me.

Tattoos are more acceptable now than they were about 10-15 years ago. Not knowing if I was following my ancestors, or starting something new for my immediate family. Tattoos have been around through the ages and will continue to be around well into my family's future. Believing my ancestors had tattoos in honor of religion, family traditions, beliefs, or as simple as to honor loved ones living or ones who have passed away. The bottom line is you see tattoos around more now than is the past. You take a few minutes on a sunny day and you can get a glimpse of something as small as a butterfly or something as large as an arm that is covered like a sleeve on people of all ages, and nationality.

Even the people who have tattoos are judge on how many they have, and what they look like. Instead of asking if that person can conceal them for occasions or how well he may clean up or blend in. In my opinion tattoos are fashionable, they are not cheap, and they last a lifetime. Tattoos seem to be rising over the years, from a time when they were believed to be for criminals and undesirables, to now where mothers mark the births of their children, soldiers mark a fallen comrad, and spouses proclaim their love for each other. After all the controversy, I believe in having tattoos, and I am willing to educate the people who ask.

In the early years people were misinformed about the tattoos, and many places banned them because of the incorrect information associated in the art of tattooing. As long as the tattoo establishment follows state guided health regulations there is little to fear. The glances from strangers come to me with no surprise as I wait to see when, or if they will ask about my tattoos. Am I the strange one, or are the ones without tattoos strange? The answer is simple, we are all equal with or without a tattoo.

Tattoos have broken through the mysterious rebellious image. I wear my tattoos with pride and confidence. It's a statement of who I am, a memory of my life, and fidelity to my wife. Wearing something that is eternal to my body, and soul for people to see if they open their eyes.

There is a little known fact that a tattoo is considered therapy, a way to make people feel better about themself. To get a symbol of love, power, faith, hope, and strength are but a few examples.

"Many, many people get tattooed at low