Watch out, I'm about to get all spiritual on you.
Let me start by saying I've never been a big believer in tattoos. My first real introduction to kids my generation getting them was "lookie what I did down in Panama City when I was drunk over Spring Break." I would then be treated to some garish cartoon character (usually a penis in disguise) and expected to ooh and aah.
I don't think I ever quite mastered the expected pseudo-honest reaction of Oh how COOOOOOOL!!!
Did I mention I was not part of the cool club?
Now, I don't have anything particularly against tattoos, I have just never had a reason to get one. I have always had such a volatile personality that I just could not imagine getting something permanent until I really felt for it.
I do know, however, what I would get if decided to go for it.
Κύριε ἐλέησον
That's what I said: Κύριε ἐλέησον
On my left wrist, reading from left to right as I look at it.
Oh? Didn't quite catch the reference? What the hell? Didn't any of you pay attention between the nuns beating you with rulers and the priests berating you in the confessional? Don't you read Greek?
Kyrie Eleison, my friends. Lord Have Mercy.
Like the free-thinking Catholic that I am (oxymoron, anyone?) I tend to think of G-O-D in a more relaxed fashion than my fellow churchgoers. Call him a her. Say Yahweh, Allah, use pluralities. Whatever gives you a connection to yourself and that spark of inspiration. I don't care what your phraseology is. According to all those near and dear to me, I'm the Official Navigator on the short bus to Hell so I am not all that concerned about how others view the divine.
I do know that for my sophomore year of Catholic high school I had to do a song analysis of a popular song and somehow relate it to our religion class.
Luckily for me, Kyrie by Mr. Mister was popular at the time.
Delving into the lyrics of this song changed the path of my life. I was only 14 at the time, and I had no idea how my interpretation of the song would alter my world view. It's just a lame pop song, right?
Seems that phrases from the song come to me in times of trouble.
When I feel discontented. When I wonder if I have made the right choices.Would I have followed down my chosen road, or only wished what I could be?
When I think I have made a bad choice, and I feel alone with no way out.Kyrie Eleison, where I'm going will you follow?
In trying to find the balance between what I know in my head and what I feel in my heart.Somewhere between the soul and soft machine is where I find myself again.
For me, life is about finding a balance. My interpretation of this song has always brought a feeling of peace to my mind. Somewhere between my spiritual-self and my logical-self I will find my way through this life. The phrase Κύριε ἐλέησον seems a simple way to sum it up. Being a sucker for languages and history, I like the original spelling. Can you blame me?
Some day I may actually do it. For now, I am content with things the way they are.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Tattoo I've Yet To Get
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9 comments:
I had NO idea about the meaning of that song. Shows how fricking deep I am.
I love the idea of this, especially in the original spelling. I am not big on the tattoos, as at my age, I would look like a desperate cougar, and would also be shunned from my fellow temple dwellers.
But you? You're young, dahlink, you're beautiful. You could carry this off. Please god, though, do NOT get it done on your lower back. Lord Have Mercy, indeed...
I can't believe I'm actually checking blogs while Game 7 (which is presently tied up) is on!!!
But for you? Anything.
My daughter has 6 tattoos (that I know of). In talking to her and some of her tattooed friends, it seems that tattoos are like Lays potato chip--you can't get just one. That would be my fear. And then there is the upkeep. You have to get the color filled in again from time to time to keep it from looking like the faded gray/green anchors on your uncle's (who was in the Navy) arm. :-) (Yes, I had an uncle like that).
As for your choice? It's a beautiful one, and well thought out. I swore I was going to get a "Matrix" plug in port tattooed over the surgical scar on the back of my neck and a row of safety pins along the scar in front. But of course I didn't. It was a cool idea, though.
Dream on! "Lord have mercy" was frequently used in my Southern household as the equivalent of "Oh my." I don't think it would have sounded quite right in Greek ;-)
Peace - D
@BvB: Check out the lyrics when you are in a reflective mood. They may surprise you. As for the getting it done tramp stamp style on my lower back? Wouldn't THAT be a hoot!
@Momma: I can't believe you were checking, either. I have heard the same thing about the addictiveness of tattoos. I don't know that I would be able to stop.
As for the scars, that would be hilarious. Most of my surgical scars healed nicely. Otherwise I would be entertaining similar thoughts.
I'm kinda glad you didn't go with Sister Christian. ;)
I LOVE my tattoo, but I doubt I'll get another one. There hasn't been anything since that I felt strongly enough to get emblazoned on my flesh (I'm 33, I got it when I was 21).
Also? Oh MAN! Spring Break in Panama City. I remember it... no, not well. But vaguely and with great fondness.
@Gypsy: Sister Christian, eh? LOL I have to say that I don't know if I've ever actually listened to that song all the way through. Not my cuppa.
I think you are one of the only people I know who have gotten "just one" and stopped there.
As for Panama City, part of me feels like I missed out. Then again, I didn't spend senior year with the clap like half of my classmates, so I guess I shouldn't complain.
I'm with you on not really being drawn to tattoos personally, but if I ever get one, it will say: TATTOOS SUCK!
How hilarious would it be to convey that message in tattoo form?! I chuckle every time I think about it! I suspect most people wouldn't appreciate the humor/irony of it, but who cares?!
D
I never got a tattoo either...only because I can't think of anything I'm passionate about to ink permanently on my body.
I also agree that the best relationship with God is a personal one.
I like your thinking!
I have no tattoos, either. It took me long enough to decide to get my ears pierced! If I had one, what would I get? I don't know. Something meaningful.
I used not to like tattoos at all, it was Johnny Depp who changed my mind on that. On him, they look sexy and cool - and how can you not love a man who has his daughter's name tattooed over his heart, his son's on his right arm and his mother's on his left? Something like that, you'd never want to change, would you? Unlike the 'Wino Forever' on his right shoulder, which used to read 'Winona Forever' ...
Tee hee.
I want to believe that every person has his own opinion on this as they like that of anything in this world.
I can't see anything bad in tattoo instead of this may do harm on the health for some very it-depends reason.
I thought of having one before. my boyfriend and I was about to break up and I have decided for both of us to have a small one on the risk. That time, i wanted something for us that we can have forever. I thought that tattoo could be a good parting idea. We always dreamt of having a baby but since it can no longer come true we decided for a tattoo. Just a small one. However, weeks past and we get back. I found no reason for a tattoo after that because i have him. Seven years is not that easy to let go.
Chrys
Aztec Tattoos
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