Years ago, I got a tattoo with the quote:
“Kill off all my demons and my angels may die too.”
At first glance, it might sound like a battle between good and evil but, for me, it has always been about embracing all parts of myself.
The good.
The bad.
The right.
The wrong.
And I chose to have this placed on my ribs which is arguably one of the most painful places for a tattoo. (Maybe that’s also part of the message.)
Here’s the thing: we all have light and shadow within us.
The parts we celebrate and the parts we try to push away.
But what if those so-called “demons” aren’t meant to be destroyed? What if they hold lessons, strength, and wisdom? What if trying to erase them also dims the light of our “angels”?
What I have learned is growth isn’t about eliminating the darkness.
It’s about integrating it. Owning every piece of yourself, even the messy, uncomfortable parts.
Because they make you who you are.
I didn’t get this tattoo as a warning. It has specific meaning for me, just like ALL my other tattoos. This one in particular is a reminder.
A reminder to embrace the whole picture, not just the pretty parts.
Of myself AND others.