Tonight I got my first tattoo, the Japanese symbol for Reiki, on my right upper arm. The right arm being commonly known as the "giving"side . It is about 2 inches wide and 4 inches tall. I had originally planned my first tattoo to be a memorial tattoo for my little sister but I have about 6-12 months to wait for the tattoo artist I want to be available and I have already waited about a year.
So, tonight I was at a friend's house and a friend of theirs drops by to do tattoos at their place when he comes through town.
When it came my turn I was more than anxious to say the least. Having been around people with tattoos all my life, having them tell me how bad it hurt and even seeing some get tattoos as they whine, scream and writhe in pain. He drew the symbol on my skin based off of a print out I showed him of the symbol. He put his own creative style to it and didn't just make it all solid black like the print out. He made it look like brush strokes. Like someone who wrote kanji came up to me and wrote the symbol on my arm.
As I sat in the chair and he sat down on his stool and started preparing the ink in those tiny little plastic cups they use it really hit me that I am about to actually get my first tattoo.
Then the tattoo machine was turned on and the anxiousness kicked into high gear as I knew I was about to experience a lot of pain for probably 20 minutes or more non-stop.
He brings the tattoo machine up to my arm and goes right in and much to my surprise and to the surprise of those watching, it didn't even hurt at all during the whole process. I had one person previously describe the feeling as similar to a mild to moderate sunburn on the spot the needle happens to be working and that is about right.
Now I look forward to my next tattoo whenever that is. I do think that I will continue on this arm with only Reiki themed tattoos but have not decided if it will be a half sleeve or full sleeve.
I definitely will not be nervous next time.
Namaste
Ray
