What? A tattoo??

The title of this post is not misleading...and yes, I now have a tattoo.

The back story to this tattoo goes like this....

In college I was very close to getting a tattoo of the letters I and V on my rib cage with a man kneeling before another.  The idea behind this was that I wanted to remind myself to stay attached to your IV (Integrity, Vitality) and to be a man looking to serve others.  I'll be first to admit that this isn't always the case as I fall all the time; however, I wanted it to be a daily reminder of what to pursue.  However, I didn't want to spend hundreds, so I ended up not getting it.

Fast forward to this month...

A friend of mine and I began to discuss possibilities for tattoos and how he had always wanted a tattoo.  I ended up recommending him to get a sheep dog (another story related to officer candidate school).  This led to the idea of a tattoo come alive again in my mind.  Well one thing led to another and I ended up getting a Rickson Gracie jiujitsu triangle with Psalm 23 on top of it.

The triangle:
Jiujitsu has taught  and continually reminds me on the importance to lose gracefully, win humbly, and the balance of attack, defense, and position.  I look forward to a future working in the art, and to improve not only in use of my mind and body as a unit, but as a person.
Psalm 23 is a chapter I repeat to myself every morning when I wake up and before I go to sleep.  The Lord is my shepherd and my peace, confidence, and whole-being comes from my identitiy in him.

I hope that this tattoo will not only be a daily reminder to me of my foundation, but also a starting point on which to discuss with others what is the source of my vitality, and ultimately the gospel.

Thank you God for my health, family and friends, opportunity to serve my country, and to taste the grace that you have revealed to me.  Praise God now and forever more.

Productivity

Productivity.  In my case, I pursue it, yet it is always out of my grasp.  Every day is inundated with task upon task, and you learn to enjoy any minute of relaxation you can find.  After a long day of classes, tests, etc, I got to relax at a local jiu-jitsu gym in the evening.  I love the physical exhaustion that results from a rolling session, but that is besides the point.  The title to this post is productivity, but I will stray away and began to recap 2012 as the month of December is upon us.

2012:

-GMAT
-UCLA Hospital Accounting job
-Brazillian Jiu-jitsu
-Tapestry-->Now, the House
-OCS
-NSCS

Man, what a year.  I seem to say this about every year, but I can honestly say this year was a year to remember.  First, finding a church I really loved and wanted to serve...and then being called away to Rhode Island for training.  Beginning a new lifestyle, and developing new friendships.  6 months from now, I could be anywbere....nothing is really cemented for 2013.  As I pour myself into my pursuits, I can only say one thing: Psalms 23.  I have it written across my room wall, and I recite it every morning...it is my life theme.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.  Your rod and your staff they comfort me.  You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of The Lord forever."

This post may be convoluted and without good structure; however, I end this with a desire to become more consistent in my daily devotions and dependence on Christ.

Desires for the new year:
1) finish some writing projects I'm working on
2) compete in a jiujitsu tournament
3) play the harmonica confidently
4) get out to sea

The Lord is my shepherd.