Intention and Surrender

My mother had been having chest pains that got serious enough for her to see the doctor. I got the phone call from my mother after her first doctor's appointment of the week. She had developed an inflammation of the lining of her heart or pericarditis. I didn't know that this particular predicament was even a possibility. The next day another doctor diagnosed her with a right brachial branch blockage and a heart arrhythmia. It sounded serious. The pericarditis was causing both of these new symptoms, so the blood flow in her heart was disrupted and it was affecting the timing of the beats. This was causing her to have small episodes of dizziness, leading to a possible loss of consciousness. After a few concerned conversations between all members of my family, we thought that she needed to be under medical supervision. Our plans to go as a family to the big island of Hawai'i on Friday of the same week were in serious jeopardy of being canceled.

Naturally I was worried about her and started to take an Internet crash course on diseases of the heart. The more I learned, the more I asked her questions about the chances of a speedy recovery. At the same time, I was upset for a variety of reasons. I wanted our extended family to have its' first vacation together outside of visiting each other's homes. This was all to take place while my parents celebrated their 50 th Wedding Anniversary in Hawai'i. I was looking forward to having that quality time that comes about when we aren't tethered to our homes and the 'to-do' list doesn't beckon. My mother has struggled with her rheumatoid arthritis over the last few years; she deserved to have some fun on this trip! Plus, I had taken a lot of time and energy to help plan this 'trip of a lifetime' and I couldn't do anything about it now. I told my wife, It just isn't fair, in one of my outbursts that evening.

By the time Wednesday rolled around, I had calmed down and surrendered to forces greater than my own. It was not about how much planning that went into the trip or whether we could spend quality time together as a family. However it was about making sure that my mother was going to recover. It just took me a while to give up control of the situation. Giving up control or surrendering is something that I learn on a regular basis in my yoga practice. There are many forms of yoga and I practice Anusara Yoga, which means 'opening to grace' or 'going with the flow.' I remember one Vinyasa or flow class where my wonderful teachers, Paul and Sommer, talked about setting an intention at the beginning of the class and then surrendering to the results. This is achieved through proper breathing, a positive attitude and not trying to compete.

For example, in Parivrtta Trikonasa or revolved triangle pose, we are instructed to move into the position only as far as our bodies allow with a smile on our face. The breath leads the way, helping to us relax into the pose and to gently go a little farther into the stretch. Pushing too far results in pain, not going far enough doesn't engage the muscles and our mind in the pose. Each person finds his or her own balance. I had started out my yoga practice in Paul and Sommer's class that first semester trying to force each pose, my face contorting into a sneer, the veins popping out of my forehead. These facial acrobatics always brought a humorous reaction from both of them. Their laughter made me realize that I was trying to control the pose much like I was trying to force the vacation that my family was supposed to take.

German poet Ranier Maria Rilke speaks about the powerful effects of surrendering to control in his poem, Der Schauende (The Man Watching). He says, What we choose to fight is so tiny! / What fights us is so great? / If only we would let ourselves be dominated / as things do by some immense storm, / we would become strong too, and not need names ... when we win it's with small things, and the triumph itself makes us small. / Winning does not tempt that man. / This is how he grows: by being defeated, decisively, / by constantly greater beings. The reason why powerful trees do not snap in the wind is because they bend to forces greater than themselves. And when we surrender to things greater than ourselves, we become more powerful too.

It was now Wednesday afternoon and my mother had just come back from the third doctor in three days. She was also on three different types of medication. She called very excited on her way home. The heart doctor told my mother to have a great time in Hawai'i! The three medications had stabilized her condition! She could either sit around the house or enjoy herself on vacation. I thought about this amazing turn of events as I spoke at great length to a proud Polynesian warrior at Pu'uhonua O Honaunau (Place of Refuge) National Historic Park on the big island of Hawai'i. He was dressed in a subdued red toga and leaned upon a long polished staff. His face was lined with wisdom as he told me about the tattoos that stretched from both elbows to his wrists. One tattoo showed people emerging from a canoe. The Polynesians took vast ocean journeys with the intention of reaching new lands. The Polynesian word for emerging from a canoe is Va'ah, which literally means to 'wake up.' After about an hour, I asked to take this man's portrait, setting the intention and letting go. He agreed. When we set the intention, we need to remember to surrender to the result. Surrendering is a form of letting go and waking up.

Mark Sincevich works with individuals and organizations to increase their communication power so that they gain a fresh perspective, generate new ideas, sharpen the focus and create more business. He uses a unique photography angle in his creative keynotes, meeting facilitation and powerful presentation skills programs. Mark is the Founder and Chief Perspective Officer of Staash Press, a member of the National Speakers Association and the Executive Director of the Digital Photography Institute. In between assignments, Mark can be found spending time with his family or writing in caf?s with character. He can be contacted at 301-654-3010 or http://www.staashpress.com

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To Tattoo Or Not Tattoo That Is The Question

 



To Tattoo Or Not Tattoo That Is The QuestionSubmitted By: Rick Dupont   

Oh well too late I already have one, but now I am thinking about getting another. Because, once again I was standing in front of my full length mirror after taking a shower, and thought to myself (I don?t know why we always say ?and thought to myself? who else are we going to think to), anyway, I have a tattoo on my right arm, and I thought to anybody who wanted to listen, that I looked lopsided, so why not get another for the left arm. I could get one on my back or chest or leg or any other part of my body, but this won?t cure my perceived lopsidedness from which I am suffering from. I know a fellow from many years ago who had a tattoo of a fly done on his best friend, if you know what I mean, but when it was flaccid it looked like a little beauty spot, he told me that he had to get himself erect so the tattooist could do his job. I don?t know about anyone else but I am pretty sure that I wouldn?t be able to keep an erection while a needle was piercing my skin 10,000 times a second or whatever the speed is.

To continue, not being able to think of any reason not to get another, I said to myself (because there was nobody else to say it to) yes go get another tattoo. Now what design will i choose, the one i have is a very nicely done heart with my wife?s name across it. I got this one done by a young lady in Darwin, just across the street from the Love Shop. I remember the love shop but not the name of the tattoo parlor, isn?t that strange.

I could have a fierce looking one, a dragon, a snake, or some such animal, but that wouldn?t be conducive to the one that i already have. So artistically i would still be lopsided. I could get one of her pictures copied onto my skin, but i have seen this done many times and have never seen one that actually looked like the person it was supposed to be. I could imagine getting that done and going home to show my wife my new tattoo, and her saying who is that it?s not me, do you have a girlfriend, etc, etc, just give me a sharp knife and let me do the job myself, because if i came home with a tattoo of someone else, or so she thinks, i might as well commit suicide.

The dilemma, how can I keep both of us happy, the answer was brilliant in its simplicity. We have a small business and the logo we have on our business cards is that of an eagle in flight, eureka, I will get the same logo tattooed on my left arm.

To sum up, if you are going to get a tattoo, whether it be you first or the last in a line of many, remember you are stuck with it. Yes you can have it removed but why get it removed, if you have thought long and hard about the design. The only people who have tattoos removed are the ones who put very little thought into its positioning and design. I subscribe to the theory that tattooing is an art form.

About the Author:

To Tattoo or not Tattoo that is the Question was Written by Rick DuPont from Tattoo Designs Info a website dedicate to helping you make the right decision regarding your tattoos you can find his website at http://www.tattoo-designs-info.com .

Article Tags: design, tattoo, thought

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Tattoo Designs & Your First Tattoo: What's Right For You What To Avoid

That awesome Chinese character on your girlfriend's hip doesn't mean peace and love. Read on to avoid making the same mistake and having I love egg rolls permanently inked into your body.

There are so many different options when choosing a tattoo design, it's often overwhelming at first. You know you're ready to get your first tattoo. Fortunately for the current younger generations, getting a tattoo isn't as taboo as it used to be. You no longer have people staring at you like you're an old sailor or are fresh out of prison. In fact, tattoos have become quite socially acceptable - after all, all your friends have them, models have them, movie stars have them, rock stars have them.

Tattoos are a great way of self expression, but how do you stand out from everyone else's I love Sheila or I heart Mom tattoos? There's nothing better than a unique design, but a design that is still very meaningful to you, even though it might not be totally unique can be perfect. Why is it so important to have a unique design? Well, other than the fact that you'll have the ink permanently (important to remember at all times before deciding to get a tattoo - laser removal isn't perfect yet) it's always great to have a unique story.

?Here's an example - a friend of this author got one of those copy-and-paste ribal tattoos. He's pretty popular with the ladies, and the first thing they always ask is, Oh wow, this is really neat, what does it mean? So he has to sit there and explain that it doesn't really mean anything, he just thought it looked neat. Not very smooth.

A different friend has an amazing sleeve (two, actually), all the images intertwined and coalescing in a very artistic way. They were custom drawings, drawings from his favorite artists, and so on - whenever a person asks him why he got the tattoos or what the designs mean, he has great stories to tell.

So there's the difference between your run of the mill tattoo design, and a tattoo design that has plenty of meaning behind it. You've got that part down, so what should you avoid?

Well, unless you actually know a person that speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, or any other Asian language and can confirm the character you're having stamped on your butt doesn't say more ketchup please, the best advice is to just avoid that style of tattoo all together. In this author's opinion, it's no longer unique, it's very played out.

Don't be afraid when getting inked for the first time. It's not quite as painful as you might have heard. Some people even enjoy the experience. Just make sure it's not one that you'll regret - you'll have that tattoo design for quite a long while.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on tattoo designs and tattoo pictures at http://www.tattoodesignparlor.com

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The Adventures of Diogenes

Diogenes was by no means an ordinary chap. Not at all! He was a bit of a conservative philosopher, although with a sense of humor, and he was convinced that he had a calling, very much like the mission of the original Diogenes from the barrel. Had he lived during the Hellenistic period, he, no doubt, would have been noticed and, perhaps, celebrated. But now, in the 21st century, when common sense has been replaced with individual sense and universal values have been substituted with personal values, Diogenes was rejected as a misanthropist. Yet, his heart was full of love and compassion for fellow humans, but who would believe him?

During Christmas' week of 2005 he had visited London and spent a lot of time walking in areas like Soho, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus. He wasn't interested in shopping. He couldn't afford much, anyway. But he was interested in studying people by looking at their faces, the way they dressed and the manner they spoke. He was stricken in particular by some youngsters' forky hairstyle - sometimes pink, sometimes yellow - and their profound body piercing. Oh, how did he wish that he could stand up in one of those crowded places and preach a sensible message to the masses! He envied some street evangelists who were fervently inviting people to be saved, bravely ignoring the mocking and the hostile glances of passers by.

So, how could he deliver his message - a critical view of body piercing? Well, where there is a will there is a way, the saying goes. And the best way of delivering his message would be through a certain discussion board in which he had been posting in the previous year under a different name. Besides, posting his view in a discussion forum was, at least, physically safe. He wouldn't be in danger of being beaten up, except verbally. So, upon his return to Bristol he got ready for preaching on the board.
Here is his first post:

Hello everybody and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!

I have been thinking of making some new-year resolutions tonight, and one of these is about body piercing. To PIERCE or not to PIERCE???
This is the big question to which I am agonizing to give the right answer.
You see, I wear a ponytail and this usually goes well with earrings, at least half a dozen of them on each ear. Doesn't it?

But as I was contemplating about this, I thought, once my ears are pierced then my nose will get jealous and will want to be pierced, too. And then my eyebrows, my lips, and my tongue will expect to be pierced so as to not look out of fashion. Going further down on my body, I realized that my nipples should not be left out of fashion, neither should my navel. They, too, should be pierced!

Then I came to my very intimate parts at the top of my legs and, as I was tenderly touching them, I wondered if the ultimate fashion of piercing should reach them as well. Should I pierce my precious vital organ or not, I wondered... And if I did, would this make the penetration to narrow passages hard? Difficult question, isn't it?

Oh, just thinking about it felt as a nightmare! Was it the fear of pain that made me shivering? But, there again, 'no pain, no gain', I reckoned... Would the pain justify the gain? I wondered! 'I must be brave!' I said to myself. 'I should not be a coward! I must overcome this ugly fear, which tries to keep me out of fashion!' Perhaps, I thought, there might be some people in this board with a few holes in their bodies, who could encourage me to make this great new-year resolution.

Could anyone advise me: to pierce or not to pierce? And if I pierced, what pleasure shall I derive from it? Would I be happier? More acceptable by modern society, more fun to be with? What would I gain from going through this pain? A lot of serious questions that demand an answer... Is there anyone in this board who could answer all or, at least, some of these questions, please? And if you come back to me, could you please indicate under your name: 'pierced', or 'not pierced', accordingly? This way I will be able to evaluate your answers. Because it is different when the answer comes from experience than from observation or prejudice.

Oh, by the way, does any one know where this fashion came from? Which people, in which country, at what year the first brave pierced man or woman appeared?
Looking forward to your answers. Thanks!
Diogenes

The answers started pouring in immediately! Just as he had guessed, everybody took Diogenes' seriously and showed compassion. No one suspected the irony behind the questions. Here are excerpts from some of the postings:

CHARLES:
1st Piercing? Probably Neanderthals.
Go get your ears done, and take it from there... If you don't like it the holes will fill back in. I've got a pierce in each ear and always wear my gold or diamond studs...Navels are nice, but not for me... Yet, make sure a qualified person does the piercing and you follow their hygiene instructions, or serious infection can result. It has to be done in a completely sterilized fashion and then you need to apply antibacterial/fungal ointment everyday for several weeks and keep the ears sterile...
Good luck!

ZIZI:
I would start out slowly, with the ears. It can get to be too much real quick and you'll look like a freak! It also is not healthy for you to be trying to heal too many piercings at the same time. Make sure you go to a professional piercer and don't have them done with a gun at the mall. I have earings (one in left lobe, 2 in right lobe and one high in the right cartilage), a tiny diamond nose stud, and a quarter-sized tattoo on my ankle that I regret. Piercings at least are reversible as long as you're not stretching them out.

BOB:
Piercing? It is a case of personal freedom.
DO be aware that tongue piercing is very dangerous.
Best of luck, it's all about your personal freedom.

GAYMAN:
It's all personal preference - but do remember that excessive facial piercing can reduce your employment options. I've had several piercings and many of them have healed closed (mainly because I couldn't be bothered with them anymore) and now just keep an ear pierced. When you first get it done you have a feeling that everyone is staring at you (like an ear stud REALLY makes you stand out).
Tongue piercings or anything below the waist really hits my squeak buttons.
Oh, and while ears do not hurt, do not believe what they tell you about anywhere else. Like tattoos, they hurt.

By now Diogenes was fed up. Surprisingly, no one had stepped in to give the answer he was expecting. So, he decided to hit back with his previous alias, i.e. Marilou - a female poster of the Board:

MARILOU:
Diogenes, Welcome to this Board but, for goodness sake, can't you think of any other resolutions for the NEW YEAR that make more sense? Oh, you of poor COMMON SENSE! How embarrassing for your name to ask such silly questions... Haven't you ever thought that we owe our wonderfully made body a bit of respect? Who are those who bring all the silly and self-destructive fashions around, and what are they after? Of course they are shrewd people who know how to make money out of fools!

My advice is to leave your body in peace! Don't make any holes on it! And, excuse me to say, try to patch up some 'holes' in your mind! Sorry to disturb you on the first day of the New Year, but really someone has to wake you up... I am also disappointed with all those who kindly advised you as to how you should proceed in making holes in your precious body. Isn't there any sober man or woman in the Board to kindly warn you out of this? Or have some missed this stupid topic?

Happy New Year to you, Diogenes! And Happy New Year to all the others, 'pierced or not pierced'! Peace and warm hugs for all, even for those who bite!
Marilou

Now Diogenes answered back to Marilou by saying:
Marilou, you are the one who BITES! At least you shouldn't do it on the first day of the year. And, listen to this: I do not accept your advices. My body belongs to me and I am free to do as I am pleased.

And, sure enough, there were many angry posters who rushed in to support him by attacking Marilou. Here is a sample:

ISABELLA:
Marilou, you spew insulting hateful bile and then wish peace and love? How about leading by example? I was impressed by your first posts. Now you've shown yourself to be judgmental, petty and mean. You are not representing your faith well. Our bodies are a temporary vessel and ours to adorn as we please. What's a little hole here & there or some artwork? If there is a god, I hope he's got bigger fish to fry. Lighten up!

There were more postings in the same angry spirit and Diogenes had a good laugh at all of them. However, at the same time he was disappointed, and he couldn't help questioning about the posters' intelligence. And he still wonders what would be the best way to make his messages intelligible, when even humor didn't help...

About the Author

Maria Seferou was born in an agricultural family of Dendron, a small village of Peloponnese, Greece. She studied Civil/Structural Engineering at National Technical University of Athens and had a successful 20-year professional career both in Greece and in England. For the last 21 years she has been a writer of non-fiction books and articles on religious, philosophical, political and social issues.

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To Pierce or not to Pierce?

Diogenes was by no means an ordinary chap. Not at all! He was a bit of a conservative philosopher, although with a sense of humor, and he was convinced that he had a calling, very much like the mission of the original Diogenes from the barrel. Had he lived during the Hellenistic period, he, no doubt, would have been noticed and, perhaps, celebrated. But now, in the 21st century, when common sense has been replaced with individual sense and universal values have been substituted with personal values, Diogenes was rejected as a misanthropist. Yet, his heart was full of love and compassion for fellow humans, but who would believe him?

During Christmas' week of 2005 he had visited London and spent a lot of time walking in areas like Soho, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus. He wasn't interested in shopping. He couldn't afford much, anyway. But he was interested in studying people by looking at their faces, the way they dressed and the manner they spoke. He was stricken in particular by some youngsters' forky hairstyle - sometimes pink, sometimes yellow - and their profound body piercing. Oh, how did he wish that he could stand up in one of those crowded places and preach a sensible message to the masses! He envied some street evangelists who were fervently inviting people to be saved, bravely ignoring the mocking and the hostile glances of passers by.

So, how could he deliver his message - a critical view of body piercing? Well, where there is a will there is a way, the saying goes. And the best way of delivering his message would be through a certain discussion board in which he had been posting in the previous year under a different name. Besides, posting his view in a discussion forum was, at least, physically safe. He wouldn't be in danger of being beaten up, except verbally. So, upon his return to Bristol he got ready for preaching on the board.
Here is his first post:

Hello everybody and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!

I have been thinking of making some new-year resolutions tonight, and one of these is about body piercing. To PIERCE or not to PIERCE???
This is the big question to which I am agonizing to give the right answer.
You see, I wear a ponytail and this usually goes well with earrings, at least half a dozen of them on each ear. Doesn't it?

But as I was contemplating about this, I thought, once my ears are pierced then my nose will get jealous and will want to be pierced, too. And then my eyebrows, my lips, and my tongue will expect to be pierced so as to not look out of fashion. Going further down on my body, I realized that my nipples should not be left out of fashion, neither should my navel. They, too, should be pierced!

Then I came to my very intimate parts at the top of my legs and, as I was tenderly touching them, I wondered if the ultimate fashion of piercing should reach them as well. Should I pierce my precious vital organ or not, I wondered... And if I did, would this make the penetration to narrow passages hard? Difficult question, isn't it?

Oh, just thinking about it felt as a nightmare! Was it the fear of pain that made me shivering? But, there again, 'no pain, no gain', I reckoned... Would the pain justify the gain? I wondered! 'I must be brave!' I said to myself. 'I should not be a coward! I must overcome this ugly fear, which tries to keep me out of fashion!' Perhaps, I thought, there might be some people in this board with a few holes in their bodies, who could encourage me to make this great new-year resolution.

Could anyone advise me: to pierce or not to pierce? And if I pierced, what pleasure shall I derive from it? Would I be happier? More acceptable by modern society, more fun to be with? What would I gain from going through this pain? A lot of serious questions that demand an answer... Is there anyone in this board who could answer all or, at least, some of these questions, please? And if you come back to me, could you please indicate under your name: 'pierced', or 'not pierced', accordingly? This way I will be able to evaluate your answers. Because it is different when the answer comes from experience than from observation or prejudice.

Oh, by the way, does any one know where this fashion came from? Which people, in which country, at what year the first brave pierced man or woman appeared?
Looking forward to your answers. Thanks!
Diogenes

The answers started pouring in immediately! Just as he had guessed, everybody took Diogenes' seriously and showed compassion. No one suspected the irony behind the questions. Here are excerpts from some of the postings:

CHARLES:
1st Piercing? Probably Neanderthals.
Go get your ears done, and take it from there... If you don't like it the holes will fill back in. I've got a pierce in each ear and always wear my gold or diamond studs...Navels are nice, but not for me... Yet, make sure a qualified person does the piercing and you follow their hygiene instructions, or serious infection can result. It has to be done in a completely sterilized fashion and then you need to apply antibacterial/fungal ointment everyday for several weeks and keep the ears sterile...
Good luck!

ZIZI:
I would start out slowly, with the ears. It can get to be too much real quick and you'll look like a freak! It also is not healthy for you to be trying to heal too many piercings at the same time. Make sure you go to a professional piercer and don't have them done with a gun at the mall. I have earings (one in left lobe, 2 in right lobe and one high in the right cartilage), a tiny diamond nose stud, and a quarter-sized tattoo on my ankle that I regret. Piercings at least are reversible as long as you're not stretching them out.

BOB:
Piercing? It is a case of personal freedom.
DO be aware that tongue piercing is very dangerous.
Best of luck, it's all about your personal freedom.

GAYMAN:
It's all personal preference - but do remember that excessive facial piercing can reduce your employment options. I've had several piercings and many of them have healed closed (mainly because I couldn't be bothered with them anymore) and now just keep an ear pierced. When you first get it done you have a feeling that everyone is staring at you (like an ear stud REALLY makes you stand out).
Tongue piercings or anything below the waist really hits my squeak buttons.
Oh, and while ears do not hurt, do not believe what they tell you about anywhere else. Like tattoos, they hurt.

By now Diogenes was fed up. Surprisingly, no one had stepped in to give the answer he was expecting. So, he decided to hit back with his previous alias, i.e. Marilou - a female poster of the Board:

MARILOU:
Diogenes, Welcome to this Board but, for goodness sake, can't you think of any other resolutions for the NEW YEAR that make more sense? Oh, you of poor COMMON SENSE! How embarrassing for your name to ask such silly questions... Haven't you ever thought that we owe our wonderfully made body a bit of respect? Who are those who bring all the silly and self-destructive fashions around, and what are they after? Of course they are shrewd people who know how to make money out of fools!

My advice is to leave your body in peace! Don't make any holes on it! And, excuse me to say, try to patch up some 'holes' in your mind! Sorry to disturb you on the first day of the New Year, but really someone has to wake you up... I am also disappointed with all those who kindly advised you as to how you should proceed in making holes in your precious body. Isn't there any sober man or woman in the Board to kindly warn you out of this? Or have some missed this stupid topic?

Happy New Year to you, Diogenes! And Happy New Year to all the others, 'pierced or not pierced'! Peace and warm hugs for all, even for those who bite!
Marilou

Now Diogenes answered back to Marilou by saying:
Marilou, you are the one who BITES! At least you shouldn't do it on the first day of the year. And, listen to this: I do not accept your advices. My body belongs to me and I am free to do as I am pleased.

And, sure enough, there were many angry posters who rushed in to support him by attacking Marilou. Here is a sample:

ISABELLA:
Marilou, you spew insulting hateful bile and then wish peace and love? How about leading by example? I was impressed by your first posts. Now you've shown yourself to be judgmental, petty and mean. You are not representing your faith well. Our bodies are a temporary vessel and ours to adorn as we please. What's a little hole here & there or some artwork? If there is a god, I hope he's got bigger fish to fry. Lighten up!

There were more postings in the same angry spirit and Diogenes had a good laugh at all of them. However, at the same time he was disappointed, and he couldn't help questioning about the posters' intelligence. And he still wonders what would be the best way to make his messages intelligible, when even humor didn't help...

(This is a true story)

About the Author

Maria Seferou was born in an agricultural family of Dendron, a small village of Peloponnese, Greece. She studied Civil/Structural Engineering at National Technical University of Athens and had a successful 20-year professional career both in Greece and in England. For the last 21 years she has been a writer of non-fiction books and articles on religious, philosophical, political and social issues.

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Flower tattoos

For some strange reasons, I like designing flower tattoos more than others. Flower tattoos are mostly favored by women, they are like clothes accessories except that you can wear your tattoo to bed. It's like having a piece of art with you all the time. I find women with tattoos more appealing, sexier, more feminine and more powerful.

The image of a tattoo can be so captivating that it stirs up all our senses. You can have a Rose tattoo with a barbed wire around it and still look very good. It's Ying and Yang, loving and sweet but authoritative and intimidating. But if you are intending to ink a flower tattoo on your body, it's best to find out the meaning of the flower and what you want it to represent. You can then combine different images to give contrasting impressions of your tattoos.

I have compiled a list of meaning of flowers as a guide before you tattoo them on your body. I cannot vouch how official these meanings are, but my research has shown them to be fairly consistent. flower tattoos are permanent, so look around before deciding on one.

BABY'S BREATH: Innocence. BALSAM: Ardent love. BELLS OF IRELAND: Good luck. BOUVARDIA: Enthusiasm. CACTUS: Endurance. CALLA LILY: Magnificent beauty. CAMELLIA: Gratitude. CAMELLIA, PINK: Longing for you. CAMELLIA, RED: You're a flame in my heart. CAMELLIA, WHITE: You're adorable. CARNATION: Fascination, distinction, divine love, woman CARNATION, PINK: A woman's love, I'll never forget you, mother's love. CARNATION, RED: Alas for my poor heart, admiration, my heart aches for you, fascination. CARNATION, WHITE: Innocence, faithfulness, sweet and lovely, pure love, ardent love, good luck. CHRYSANTHEMUM: Cheerfulness, optimism, rest, truth. CHRYSANTHEMUM, RED: I love. CHRYSANTHEMUM, WHITE: Truth, loyal love. CHRYSANTHEMUM, YELLOW: Slighted love. DAFFODIL: Regard, rebirth, new beginnings, unrequited love, you're the only one, chivalry. DAFFODIL, SEVERAL: Joy, happiness. DAISY: Innocence, loyal love, I'll never tell, purity. DANDELION: Faithfulness, happiness, love's oracle. DAY LILY: Coquetry, Chinese emblem for mother. EREMURUS: Endurance. EUPHORBIA: Persistence. FORGET-ME-NOT: True love, hope, remembrance, memories. FREESIA: Innocence, thoughtfulness. GARDENIA: You're lovely, secret love, joy, sweet love, good luck. GLADIOLUS: Strength of character, remembrance, infatuation, splendid beauty, give me a break. GLOXINA: Love at first sight. HEATHER, LAVENDER: Admiration, solitude, beauty. HEATHER, WHITE: Protection, wishes will come true. HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty. HOLLY: Foresight, defense, domestic happiness, enchantment. HOLLYHOCK: Ambition, fruitfulness. HONEYSUCKLE: Bonds of love. HUCKLEBERRY: Simple pleasure. HYACINTH: Sport, play, games, rashness, dedicated to Apollo. HYACINTH, BLUE: Constancy. HYACINTH, RED OR PINK: Play. IRIS: Wisdom, Fleur-de-lis, emblem of France, your friendship means so much to me, faith, hope, valor, my compliments. IRIS, WHITE: Purity. JASMINE, WHITE or INDIAN: Amiability , I attach myself to you, sensuality, attachment. JASMINE, SPANISH: Sensuality. JASMINE, YELLOW: Grace, elegance. JONQUIL: Sympathy , love me, affection returned, desire. LADY SLIPPER: Capricious beauty. LARKSPUR, PURPLE: First love. LAVENDER: Devotion. LEATHERLEAF FERN: Fascination. LILAC: Youthful, humility, confidence. LILY: Majesty, wealth, pride, innocence, purity. LILY, WHITE: Purity, modesty, virginity, majesty, it's heavenly to be with you. LILY, MAGNOLIA: Dignity, love of nature, nobility. MIMOSA: Sensitivity. MINT: Virtue. MISTLETOE: Kiss me, affection, to surmount difficulties, sacred plant of India. MORNING GLORY: Loves you. MOSS: Maternal love, charity. NARCISSUS: Egotism, conceit, self love, self admiration, formality, stay as sweet as you are NASTURTIUM: Conquest, victory in battle. OAK LEAVES: Bravery. OLIVE BRANCH: Peace. ORANGE BLOSSUM: Purity, innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness, fertility. ORCHID: Rare beauty, love, refinement, beautiful lady, Chinese symbol for many children, mature charm, beauty, long life. PALM LEAVES: Victory, success. PEPPERMINT: Cordiality. PERIWINKLE: Friendship. POPPY: Eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination. POPPY, RED: Pleasure, consolation. POPPY, YELLOW: Wealth, success. PRIMROSE: I can't live without you. PRIMROSE, EVENING: Happy love. QUEEN ANNE'S LACE: Haven. RANUNCULUS: You are radiant with charm, radiant charm. ROSE: Love, passion, perfection. The rose was named for the Latin word rosa which means red. It has been a symbol of love since ancient times. ROSE, BURGUNDY: Beauty within. ROSE, CORAL: Desire. ROSE, DARK CRIMSON: Mourning. ROSE, HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty. ROSE, LAVENDER: Love at first sight, enchantment. ROSE, LEAF: You may hope. ROSE, MOSS: Confessions of love. ROSE, ORANGE: Fascination, display feeling of enthusiasm. ROSE, PEACH: Desire, gratitude, apprecation, admiration, sympathy, modesty. ROSE, PINK: Happiness, appreciation, admiration, friendship, sympathy. ROSE, DARK PINK: Thankfulness. ROSE, LIGHT PINK: Grace, gladness, joy, perfect happiness, please believe me, gratitude, admiration, gentility. ROSE, RED: Love, passion, respect, courage, I love you, beauty, pure and lovely, prosperity. ROSE, DEEP RED: Un-selfconscious beauty. ROSE, SINGLE, FULL BLOOM: I love you, I still love you, new love. ROSE, BUD, SMALL: Pure and lovely, beauty and youth, a heart innocent of love. ROSE, THORNLESS: Love at first sight. ROSE, WHITE: Innocence, purity, secrecy, I am worthy of you, silence, friendship, truth, virtue, girlhood, humility spiritual love, but of the soul, reverence, charm, happy love. ROSE, WHITE, DRIED: Death is preferable to loss of virtue. ROSE, YELLOW: Joy, friendship, true love, decrease of love, jealousy, try to care, freedom, slighted love, shows I care, joy, gladness. ROSES, BOUQUET, MATURE: Gratitude. ROSES, RED & WHITE TOGETHER: Unity, flower emblem of England. ROSES, YELLOW & RED TOGETHER: Happiness, congratulations. ROSES, YELLOW & ORANGE TOGETHER: Passionate thoughts. ROSEMARY: Remembrance, purity, rebirth. SAGE: Virtue. SALAL: Zest. SCABIOUS: Unfortunate love. SMILAX: Loveliness. SNAPDRAGON: Deception, gracious lady, presumption. SPEARMINT: Warm sentiment. SPIDER FLOWER: Elope with me. STAR OF BETHLEHEM: Purity. STATICE: Sympathy, remembrance, success. STEPHANOTIS: Happiness in marriage, desire to travel. STOCK: Lasting beauty, bonds of affection, promptness, you'll always be beautiful to me. SUNFLOWER: Follows the sun as it grows, adoration, haughtiness. SWEET WILLIAM: Gallantry, smile, finesse. THYME: Activity. TUBEROSE: Dangerous pleasure. TULIP: Perfect lover, frame, flower emblem of Holland. TULIP, RED: Believe me, declaration of love, fame. TULIP, VARIEGATED: Beautiful eyes. TULIP, YELLOW: Hopeless love, there's sunshine in your smile. VIOLET: Modesty, faithfulness, innocence, understated beauty. VIOLET, BLUE: Watchfulness, faithfulness, I'll always be true. VIOLET, PURPLE: Thoughts of you, blue love. VIOLET, WHITE: Let's take a chance, youthful innocence. VIOLET, YELLOW: Love of country. WATER LILY: Purity of heart. WEEPING WILLOW: Mourning. WHEAT: Friendliness. YARROW: Healing, sorrow. ZINNIA: Thoughts of absent friends, in memory of an absent friend. ZINNIA, SCARLET: Constancy. ZINNIA, WHITE: Goodness. ZINNIA, YELLOW: Daily remembrance.

You can download all my free flower tattoos designs at http://www.miluping.com/flowertattoos

About the Author

Ong Hui Woo
http://www.miluping.com

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The History and Choices of Small Heart Tattoos

Heart tattoos have been one of the most popular tattoo choices for both men and women since the beginning of the 20th century. Small heart tattoos perhaps gained their intriguing popularity through military men going off to war and getting their girlfriend or wife's name emblazoned on their arms, in the middle of a bright red heart tattoo. Of course, as with anything, it didn't take long for this trend to move from the military to the mainstream. Today, small heart tattoos are as popular as they have ever been, with everyone from celebrities to high school seniors getting them as their tattoo of choice. What is exciting about small heart tattoos is the sheer variation that can come with what should ostensibly be such a simple design. One popular version of the heart tattoo comes in the style of the Sacred Heart, a powerful symbol to those involved with Catholicism. Most Sacred Heart tattoos involve a heart and a flame, and are in use for those who wish to symbolize and proudly wear their devotion to Christ. It is unusual to see these tattoos on those with no religious affiliation, even if it is on a purely personal level.Another version of the small heart tattoo is the locked heart combination. This involves a couple going out and getting tattoos that complement each other. One member of the partnership gets a tattoo of a heart with a padlock on the front. The other member gets a tattoo of the key that would unlock the padlock. Together, they are one. This can be a wise alternative to getting a tattoo with the name of one's loved one. In the event of a breakup, these tattoos can quickly lead to intense regret. Getting a locked heart tattoo sidesteps this potential disaster.

Of course, that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the choices and selections one is faced with when wanting to get a small heart tattoo. There are broken heart designs, tribal hearts, hearts with names inscribed in the center, hearts pierced with arrows, and some even forsake the traditional heart design and go with a more realistic depiction of the human heart. Sometimes these anatomically correct hearts are used to symbolize surviving a heart attack. If you've been thinking about getting a small heart tattoo but aren't sure where to begin, take a visit to your local tattoo parlor and browse through the design books they have. Chances are there will be plenty of heart tattoos to choose from By Timothy Croy

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