A Touch of Ink Goes A Long Way
As we are going into the last month of the year, I wanted to talk about a time for review. What has worked? What has not worked? Where am I headed? Am I living a lifestyle I love or even enjoy? If not, how can I take the steps to get to where it is I would like to be? These are just a few questions to think about as we move into 2016.
I have gone over these very questions numerous times through this journey. There was a time I had to take a look at my life and recognize the path I was walking was not helping me get to a place I would be happy with in the long run. Nothing about it made me feel secure. I set out on an excursion to change the direction of my feet and in doing so I have redirected the whole course of my life. Although, there are still various aspects that need to be adjusted and changed as experience reveals. I do live a lifestyle I love! I am growing towards being the best version of myself. I also like to have some fun along the way!
I got my first tattoo on my grandmother’s eightieth birthday along with my mother, cousins, aunts and grandmother. This past weekend we went under the ink again and instead got a tattoo in memory of my late grandmother, Charlotte Gardner, who passed away on September 11, 2015. Her three most important things in life were God, family and humor. We figured out the Gaelic translation and got “DIA, MUINTIR (Moon-chair) and GREANN tattooed on our bodies in Celtic Garamond font. Leading up to this experience,
I was fairly nervous because it had been nine years since my last tattoo. I knew I was not going to back out; I just was not too sure of what to expect. As we were preparing my lower inside of my arm I truly had a calmness overwhelm me. I will say in the past nine years I have done some very powerful healing in my life. A lot of soul excavation, going from operating out of my pain body to living from a place of love. As the needle hit my arm I eased into the process. It was shocking how little pain I felt as the artist slowly worked his way through each letter. It turned out pretty awesome. Definitely not feeling like it will be another nine years before the next one.
I find gratitude in life everyday. Being able to share these experiences with my family and believing in the indelible mark it will always leave not only through a tattoo but also actually living in a way that it is truth. One of the very reasons I am on this path today is because of the love and support that surrounds me. For a long time I was not able to be fully present. My addiction had me so caught up in anything but being present.
I have done a lot of reflecting over the past weekend and from this pondering I have come to the conclusion the beauty is in the natural flow and letting go of resistance. I am thankful for having an open mind ready to be wowed by inspiration. I also have a lot to gain/give and will always be a student who is eager to learn new things in life.
Thank you for continuing to read my blog. Also, please check out my other fellow advocates’ blogs! Heroes in Recovery is a movement designed to break the stigma associated with addiction and mental health. We do many things to support this mission including asking people to share their recovery stories with us. We also host various events around the country including our Heroes in Recovery 6k run/walk series. These focus on working with communities to raise awareness and break the stigma and motivating others to get involved.
You can visit Heroes in Recovery or reach out to me on Facebook and I can personally help you get started.
Godspeed,
Hillary