Across the Universe

I have the Jesus-fish tattooed on my back. Inside the fish is an outline of what was inspired by my high school best friend’s communion cross (I’m not Catholic, I just thought it was an awesome cross+dove combo).

(Please pardon the quality, I took this myself just now with my cell phone *just for you*, so the top of the cross is tough to see, but you can check out the tops of my pink pj pants )

Anyway, I chose this at 19 when I got my first (and for the time being, my only) tattoo because, born and raised in the Deep Dirty South, in the Bible Belt, in a Southern Baptist church, I felt that no matter how or where I grew up and into myself, this was a part of my upbringing that I could never ignore and would always consider a part of me. I also thought it was nifty that I took two designs I liked and merged them, at least making my ink somewhat unique.

And yes, growing up in Sunday School (and Sunday night church, and youth group, and missions trips, and Bible studies, and revivals) will always be a part of my early years, yet over the past many years, I’ve wrestled with ideas, beliefs, etc., like many do. I’ve joked about adding little feet to the fish to Darwin-ize it. I’ve thought about adding words or phrases from a different religion to declare openness and worldliness.

Lately, I’ve been thinking of what to do about my next tattoo (I’m really starting to want another – two actually, maybe three…). One of these days, I will do something with a lily. I just have to. It’s my pen name/pseudonym/signature for just about everything I’ve ever written (except professionally). (Lily is May’s flower, and my May birthday is why I’ve always connected). I also like magnolias because they’re a classic Southern flower, and my Tennessee/Alabama roots love some big southern flowers.

But the other thing I want is words. And I don’t want to just PICK words, I want something meaningful, and have quite a few ideas (you can probably guess at least one). One such idea idea is a sanskrit phrase that essentially means “I give thanks to God/the Heavenly One” and finishes with “om.” This is magically wonderful on many levels. It’s Sanskrit ,and Om invokes Buddhist philosophies of the sound of the universe. But “To God Be the Glory,” essentially the message, is also a popular Christian hymn (although Amazing Grace is still the one that can probably make me cry everytime. Probably because it makes my grandmother cry). I love the synergy of the whole thing. This Sanskrit phrase is also sung in one of my absolute most FAVORITEST songs ever, making it even more perfect.

I just can’t help but wonder though… am I drawn to this because it beautifully blends different spiritual messages with one of my favorite songs, or do I like it because it allows me to still not pick a side?

You’re Invited

serenDIPity

Cool sign.

Wanted: Glutton for Punishment

My friend is setting me up tomorrow. Ok, that’s really exaggerating. She is strategically putting me in a situation where there’s a single guy she wants me to meet.

On the one hand, I’m kind of excited and intrigued. If anyone knows me, it’s her, so I trust her judgment. On the other hand, I kind of feel sorry for any guy that becomes more than a make-out buddy for me right now.

Ha, I say that like I have one. I don’t.

I wish I did.

Anyway, I’m too indecisive about my everythings right now that I feel kind of bad for the guy that willingly subjects himself to my whims!

Then again, finding a guy that humors and plays to those whims could be kind of fun… at least I’m not boring

And if that doesn’t work…