Erasing The Past

I recently read a news article about a tattoo artist in Iowa who offers a free service to remove old tattoos that depict racist images. Those who take him up on his offer express deep remorse and regret getting the hateful tattoos many years ago. Racially divisive images once represented a belief they were passionate about, but now symbolize a gross error in thinking and a mark of shame.

This tattoo artist in Iowa is offering a valuable service. An opportunity to erase reminders of the past that prevent some from living life to the fullest presently. One customer had a racial symbol erased and replaced with the name of his granddaughter. Erasing a hateful image that remained for years as a shameful reminder of foolishness and replacing it with a loving name that is the pride of this grandfather.

Transforming shame to pride.

Not everybody has tattoos they want to be removed, but we all carry incidents from our past that cause us shame. We have all been foolish in one way or another and carry reminders of our imperfection. Some of those reminders are visible but most are invisible. And the shame we carry from those experiences can prevent us from experiencing life to the fullest.

You cannot change the past, or undo what has been done. But shame does not have to be a chronic condition. Do what it takes to make that event right. Put that past experience to rest. Take action in determining the influence it has on you.

What is the reminder from your past you would like to have erased? What would you replace it with to transform your shame to pride? How would life be different once you did?