My Tattoo Guides My Way

Have you ever heard a story or a phrase that resonated so deeply in your soul that it became a piece of your life? I did, a decade ago. I worked in education and was invited to a one-day leadership training with my administrator. Listening with half-an-ear mid-morning, I heard the motivational speaker talk about how busy life gets for us some days and I nodded quietly. Then she mentioned “Life’s Pause Button”. You know, like a pause button on a VCR, game consul, or YouTube video. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all have a pause button? My head spun up, I was now engaged with her speech, and I immediately drew a pause button on my hand in ink. I don’t write on myself, EVER. A week later I started writing that pause button in permanent ink in the same location on the back of my hand.

Zoom OUT 2012: I had been going through difficult times in my life. The last couple of years before the motivational speaker, my fiancé cancelled our relationship. I had to move out. Though I was able to buy a house, it had many projects that I had to do myself. I also had to rebalance my budget with a single income. My daughter was too old for daycare, but too young to drive herself home in the next city when I had late meetings at work, so I was the sole bus driver too. Work was taking way too much time and there were increasing problems for me to solve on that front. But mostly, I was licking my wounds of my failed relationship and trying to learn to be a better me. There was a lot of reading and listening to spiritual influencers during this time.

Feeling very lost in my life as well as overwhelmed, the compass rose and native dream catcher caught my attention. Then I started having words repeat themselves to me throughout the day. All the while, I was still drawing and redrawing the pause button with a permanent marker.

Strength

Pause Button and Breath, 2, 3, 4

Love

Pause Button and Breath, 2, 3, 4

Awareness

Pause Button and Breath, 2, 3, 4

Peace

Pause Button and Breath, 2, 3, 4

One night, I texted my girlfriend and told her I needed the name of her friend, the tattoo artist. These ideas were solidifying. I needed them present and solid day in and day out. Taking all my ideas to the artist, he helped me morph them.

Zoom IN 2025: Now my one and only tattoo travels with me everywhere I go. As I now travel through Europe, it will continue to remind me of this simple message.

Pause with Strength - Peace - Awareness - Love

Give each of them away and receive them too, so I will always find my way.

May YOU help spread this message so we can all find our way in life.