MLD51

I just had to google what a surrender chip is. I thought it was probably the 24-hour chip, and that was confirmed. I've just never heard it referred to that way, but it makes total sense. I have all of my chips in a pretty wooden box with the serenity prayer laser-engraved on the top - it sits right next to my bed. Means a lot to me.

dwtbd

My comments were about tattoos in general.

I agree getting or not getting a tattoo has nothing nor could have anything to do with making a commitment to unconditional abstinence.

SoberDad86

Whodey, I love this tattoo man.. hopefully I've got a bunch of ink but nothing about sobriety yet. Someday.

Hevyn

WhoDey - That was a bold move & I'm so glad you're happy with it.
I'm not brave enough to get a tattoo, but you've inspired me. I've seen some recovery jewelry - I might get a nice, painless little bracelet.

Ayers

Hi WhoDey. I like your tattoo. I don't have any and as a 57 yr old lady,/woman/person don't think I'll be getting one soon

But I can totally understand yours. And I like it.

I used to be very opposed to them, and now my daughter is dating a guy with many. Many !! And he is just the most wonderful person I have met in a long time. And remember, mothers are very critical of guys dating their daughters. No one is actually good enough, you know

For those who don't like it and frown upon tattoos or the reasons people get them --- I suppose we are all entitled to our own opinions, but , I suppose some people see anything as an opportunity to start a long drawnout argument about .... well, nothing in particular

Tailai

kenton

I really love your tattoo WhoDey! I've been thinking about getting one ..... My husband has tattoos and they all look really good on him. I guess I've always thought of myself as not-a-tattoo person.... Just like I always used to think of myself as someone who could never get and stay sober. I guess, for me, a tattoo would be a way of showing myself I can be anything I want to be. I don't have to be constrained by the limits within my own mind. Now I just need to decide what tattoo to get.....ideally I want it to somehow incorporate my sobriety date and the names/initials of my kids. And I'd like my dog to get a mention too. And I want the tattoo to be small. Hmm, I need to give this some thought. Good on you, WhoDey.... You've inspired me xxx

Dropsie

I think it all sounds fun.

I have only one rule in my house, you can have all the tattoos you want, but you go off the payroll. But thats because I dont get it and know I dont, but you guys and gals do, and that is nice to watch.

And it is a nice tat (but they still go off the payroll.... just saying).

Congrats on your new life.

aasharon90

Love your recovery tattoo. Nice...!!!!

I began getting mine 10 yrs ago and
further along in my own sobriety and
there are no regrets.

I decided to make my last one this
past Feb. only because as we get older
our skin becomes thinner making it
harder for the tattoo needle to draw
on.

Sooooo in my 10 yrs, I have 2 almost
full sleeves, chest, top back shoulder
to shoulder and bottom legs. Many are
tattoos of old school birds, flowers,
butterflies, words like love, faith, journey,
strength, AA symbol, experience, strength
and hope, everything is bright and colorful
matching each other. Very feminine and
lady like for me.

I'm happy that I didn't get tattoos back
in the day because we grow and change
along our journeys in life and what I use
to like back in the day, is not that important
today.

So sticking to flowers, butterflies and
recovery for me today and yrs down the
road is something I won't outgrow or
get tired of.

Of course this is how it works for me.

aasharon90

I forgot to mention besides the tattoos in
recovery, I also have plaques hanging in front
of me above our tv of about 5 AA sayings with
the 3 men sitting on the bed.

All my AA chips, books, jewelry, AA symbol
I wear on a black chord around my neck always
is just "stuff" I have in recovery. However, my
life is saturated with a recovery program and
faith that I have learned and incorporated in
my daily life all to the best of my human ability.

You can take away all the "stuff" and all
im left with is me. If im not sober and living
by a guideline of recovery and faith then
I have nothing to be grateful and blessed
for.

Enjoy your blessings and gifts in your
recovery life.

WhoDeyPI

When I woke up this morning, I applied my healing tattoo lotion stuff because it is starting to get into the "ugly" stage of healing......red, scaly....and I thought to myself....nope, I'm still not a "tattoo guy".

Not a tattoo guy...but I have a tattoo.
I can't do anything about it, because it's there, and isn't going anywhere.
I accept it, because I can't change it.

Do I feel a theme happening here?

MLD51

I was never a tattoo person either, until I got one. Luckily, I still like it. And I actually enjoyed getting it. I know, I'm strange, but the pain was bearable, and oddly satisfying. I even almost fell asleep. It took about 2 and a half hours.

Clarity51

Hi, Whodey! I think your tattoo looks amazing! I love the meaning behind it. Its very special. Im so happy for you that you've come so far. I had a nice Easter weekend sober...and i have 30 days today. Its been 3 years since I've had this many days and I dont intend on going back. I've been includung you in my nightly prayers....praying for a miraculous healing. What a testimony you would have! Hope you have blessed day! Keep on fighting the good fight!

WhoDeyPI

That's very nice of you, all of it. Thank you! You're crushing it. I actually find myself forgetting to mark my days on my little sticky note lately...I guess that means this whole sobriety thing is just official part of my normalcy. But lets see....day....238!

WhoDeyPI

That's funny. I was visibly shaking while my tattoo artist was preparing everything. SO nervous. But then I thought....all the painful things I've been through in the hospital, surely it won't be THAT bad.

It only took about 40 minutes, and he said he has never seen a first timer stay so still and not even react to the pain. I even found myself laughing halfway through. Loved it, but loved it more when it was over.

CupofJoe

Cool tattoo!

I still have my first 24 hour coin in my wallet. Once, when I was still struggling, I lost my wallet. I had my coin behind my driver's license. It was found and returned to me in the mail.

Behind my coin was a note. "One day at a time. Keep it up. Officer Joe."

It really made my day and encouraged me to keep going.

I don't think that people knowing we're in recovery is always a bad thing.

Midwest1981

I do like the tattoo. I don’t have any but I always tried to get them when I was drunk. Luckily I never succeeded because who knows what I would have ended up with. Haha

Tailai