@adventurousjay17‘s TATTOO!!! I can’t get over how beautiful it is, but even better is her explanation (below) for the different parts that perfectly coalesce into the whole—thank you so much for keeping me in the loop and sharing!!
The quote in itself resonated so much within me. I felt this strange, metaphorical pull to better myself and reading your fiction (and so many others in this fandom) brought me to take that courageous first step.
I chose the compass and decided not to have the directions on it. This became symbolic to me because no matter what path I decide to follow in life, the compass will constantly lead me towards my destination; towards what I am fighting for; towards what I believe in.
The gear, as always, is Heda’s gear but it also became symbolic to me because a gear is necessary in machinery. Without a certain gear, the machine won’t work so it’s the same with my life. If I don’t continue to stay strong, to be who I want to be and in turn be happy, then my life won’t work.
I chose to put it down my spine because in human anatomy and physiology, the spine is the base for everything in your body. Without it, you’d be limbs and fat. It connects your brain/emotions with your heart/body.
I cannot begin to tell you how emotional I got when my artist finished the tattoo. This quote is like my backbone, solidifying what my life means to me.