Remember Why

One year ago I got my sixth tattoo.

Shocking right?

Maybe you've seen the photos of my tattoos before, maybe not. Some people are shocked when they seem for the first time, others scoff, some laugh; but mostly, people ask the reason behind them.

One year ago, I got a tattoo of an arrow my index finger of my right hand.

Why? One might ask.

You shake hands with your right hand, everyone will see it.

That doesn't seem very professional.

Isn't that a little cliche?

Aren't you going to have to get that touched up often?

There are endless criticisms and questions that revolve around people's body art. But here's my story:

My senior year of college I was reminded of all that I had been blessed enough to do while I was at school. I studied in our nations capital for a semester. I interned with a former senator. I researched my tail off on causes that interest me. I met some life long friends. I mentored freshmen. I brought a light to causes I care deeply about. I planned worship nights. I traveled across the world. I met some beautiful souls I can only dream of meeting one day again. I was about to graduate college, something that I truly never thought I would be able to do.

It was a bit of a dream. As graduate drew nearer and I knew my next steps, I saw something that reminded me of where I was going, my past.

You see an arrow cannot move forward to hit it's target without first being pulled backwards. 

I cannot move forward toward my next goal without first looking back to see where I have come from.

Here I sit, a year later, remembering a glorious conversation that I had in a local coffee shop with a dear friend. I was scared out of my mind thinking about graduation and leaving home once more. Something that I had never truly felt before. I didn't understand it but I felt like I was missing out on where all of my friends were in doing my own thing.She reminded me right then and there how important is is for me to continue doing what I love.

Today, I'm reminded of this: reminded of how my past has gotten me to where I am today. I'm reminded of all the amazing, adventure seeking, heart pounding, tear jerking moments I have been able to have in my life.Today as I look down at my hand, I see this. A reminder that as I continue to move forward, it is ok, heck it is warranted, wanted, needed, to look back on my life and see what I have been able to do. So that as I move forward I remember what brought me to these defining moments.

Now, I don't know where I'm heading next, but I know that when the time comes, it will be the perfect fit. Sure, I might cry again in a different coffeeshop with my friend sitting across from me as I realize yet again I'm about to leave. But for now, I'm remembering what brought me here in the first place.

*photos from: Google Images