Sometimes it’s possible to accomplish something important by doing nothing at all. Well, actually, I did do something. I resisted. I think that counts. Here’s my story.
Many of my friends have been getting pierced and tattooed for years. It’s huge. Every neighborhood has at least one bodypiercing/bodyart place. Seems like they outnumber taverns these days. Naturally, they want me in on it.
“C’mon Mike,” they say. “It’s fun! It’s addictive! What? Are you afraid of needles? The pain feels good! And when it’s over, you have something to show for it!”
I find myself looking less and less like my friends because I’m not a human signboard for little animals, death, and calligraphic text. To compound the situation, I don’t pick up the light in every room, reflecting off little pieces of metal everywhere. (And I do mean everywhere!) But I have a secret to share. I’ll get to that shortly.
While they’ve been spending their paychecks on this hoopla, I’ve been quietly satisfied with myself, exactly as I am. I’m not suggesting my friends do it out of insecurity....