It feels a little bit like
getting multiple piercings, with a thick needle on a thick piece of skin, and
right on top your bones. The body responds to pain with a flood of endorphins,
a chemical that is involved in excitement. In search for this flood of
endorphins underlies some really crazy actions. For some however, it leads to
tattoos. The pain of getting my first tattoo on my ribs yesterday was strangely
bearable. It was indeed quite painful, but I felt like I could endure it for
quite a long time. Tattoos are permanent; I will forever have Greek lettering
on my ribs. I chose the word agape, meaning perfect, unconditional love. Not
only is love the most important aspect of life, but unconditional love is the
highest meaning, and the only truly permanent aspect of an identity. I know I
hinted at a post about surfing, but I haven’t stood up yet, so as soon as I accomplish
that goal some time after my fresh tattoo heals, that post will come and rock. Oversimplification
is not a simple word at all, ironic.
Although everything in life,
apart from unconditional love, is at risk of changing, I am a firm believer
that life goes on and one should never dwell, however actions have
consequences. In the process of simplifying life, I have forgotten this fact.
Life is as simple as you let it be but I have let it be too simple. In the
midst of this care-free lifestyle, I left out a very important side of
friendships and relations; put yourself in others’ shoes. It is so important to
live day by day, however that does not mean without regard for those you are
blessed to spend time with.
Honesty is the biggest form
of respect you can give. When being honest with anyone, it demonstrates the
magnitude of the value you have for him or her. It also demonstrates how much
you are willing to put him or her first. This lesson is drilled into your mind
all growing up, yet somehow it never ceases to escape me in a shortage for
words. With my “who cares?” attitude in full swing, I also let this slip my
mind recently. In a nutshell I have managed to live selfishly and dishonestly
in a friendship, all at the expense of another person. I’m a winner if you
haven’t picked that up yet.
As I mentioned before, no
event should ever be regretted because if you have taken a lesson from it, it
was worth it. However sometimes, especially for me, shit hits the fan and
that’s easier said than done. Taking your own advice seems to be marginally
harder than I thought as well, but here I am biting the crap out of my nails
(figuratively), trying to smile sweetly at the bitter lessons I’m learning as I
fumble through these college years.
Carpe Diem, carefully. The
saying should really go like this, “Carpe Diem, with others in mind, always
being honest”.
