Permanence

Permanence: (n) the state or quality of remaining unchanging indefinitely.

Life, as we all know, is unpredictable. There is no way to control an outcome except to live through it. We are constantly changing. At times, we may feel lost, alone, and scared by our surroundings. We feel as if we have stepped off a train on the wrong station, surrounded by strangers who don't care about us. Our situation seems helpless at times.

So, many people try to change the one thing that they do have control over in this impermanent world. They change themselves. By changing their appearance, they get to change other's first impressions. A tattoo is one way to do this that will last forever. The permanence of a tattoo is its greatest attraction and largest detraction. Some people like the control that it shows; they truly can make a difference. Others worry that they might change and then the tattoo would lose its relevance to them. It's a double-edged sword.

Where do I stand on this issue? Honestly, I can't pick a side. To me, the tattoo is validated by the personal meaning that it has for the wearer. If there is no meaning in the tattoo, then it is rather pointless. Our bodies are belong to no other person, but they are a gift. We should not deface them, only add to their value.