Big news. I am getting a tattoo. Actually no, it’s not me, it’s my gorgeous man that is getting one this afternoon to celebrate his new residency and new beginnings in New Zealand. I am excited for him! This has got me thinking today that whether we have a visible tattoo on our skin or not, we all wear “images” of who we are and what we show as our identity, which people notice in us.
Think about it. If you have no confidence in yourself, people see that “tattoo”. It could take the form of not turning up to activities, not venturing further in business, not taking any steps out of your comfort zone…….or it could even take the form of playing “class clown”, loner or victim that attracts different attention. Could there be such a thing as a “tattoo of overweightness” that may be hiding the inner emotional and soul trauma you are experiencing? How about the “tattoo of perfectionism” and living up to others’ expectations of who you think you need to be to be accepted and acceptable? There is nothing more soul destroying than trying to be someone you aren’t. I know, for me, I wore a “tattoo of got-it-togetherness” with a smile on my face for many years, that looked like I had everything sussed and under control, when quietly I was living the misery of self-loathing, body hatred and depression. How about our belief about ourselves that don’t present a Divine image of who we are – as someone special, important, capable, intelligent, wise, loving…? What does that tattoo look like?
My reflection today will be this (and perhaps it might be something you also want to consider)
If I were to really choose that I am a beautiful person and that I am perfect just the way I am, how would I be presenting myself in the world – internally as well as out there in the world? What would I be thinking, saying and doing differently?
My tattoo is revealed in the photo – in that I choose self love daily and am committed to that for the rest of my “breaths”. That spills over into everything I think, say and participate in. It supports my choices in what I nourish myself with, how I dress and the people I hang out with. It oozes into the way I hold myself, the energy I choose to generate and the way I move. It continues to move me in directions that scare me sometimes, but that I know I am here on this planet for. It helps me determine what is acceptable and not acceptable within my relationships.
Take one step today to present yourself with your real image/tattoo and I would love to receive your comments below re the one thing you will be doing differently today towards that step of revealing more of the real YOU.