Tattoos and Piercings
A Reflection
When I was young, tattoos and body piercings were less common by far compared to today. Pirates, bikers, ex-cons and some in the military had them, but even they, by today’s standards, were tame.
Pierced ears on women in our society have been around a long time. Other cultures have generally had an extensive experience with these forms of applied beauty and personality modification for centuries.
So what to make of it?
First, we all are influenced by our surroundings. This means to me that I look and behave to a great extent based on when, where, and to whom I was born.
Who were my friends growing up?
Who were the influencers of my life?
What kind of music did I like and hate? (I say “hate” because kids growing up are anything but subtle).
I’m also reminded of fads and how they are usually found in younger people who likely are still trying to figure out who they are along with who are good and terrible friends to have.
I remember coming to the conclusion sometime around my fortieth birthday that it would be wise for me, from then on, not to rock the fashion boat. All it could possibly do from that time on would be to disturb my young adult children who would then become concerned I was losing the few marbles I still might have remaining. Essentially, I didn’t want anyone close to me to think I was going into a mid-life crisis. Attempting to modify one’s appearance tends to feed into speculations of that sort.
All of this to say that I do not feel any internal pressure to obtain a tattoo or pierce any part of my body and, at the same time, I expect I will become a greater minority as younger generations grow up and start replacing my own. Also, as a side note, I am seeing more and more people my age getting tattoos and piercings. Ah, the desire to stay young and relevant.
Here is how I see all of this for myself and what I would like to do about it.
I have to lose my own stylistic opinions about this subject. Instead I want to focus on seeing and interacting with each person as if they are unique and special — because they are.
It’s too easy to hold others in contempt when they simply have a different fashion sense. And even if their past choices were not the greatest (in my poorly informed opinion) they are the ones, not me, who will live with them. And if they grow to have regrets, then this is something we will share together as brothers and sisters.
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. . . On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Revelation 19:11, 16 (ESV)
