As I've mentioned before, I work at Silver Dollar City. It's an amazing 1880s theme park in Branson, Missouri and I love everything about it, especially the fact that it is run by a Christian company. This time of year, you can usually find me one of three places when I'm working. One of my favorite places to work at is down in the Grand Exposition giving airbrush tattoos. I got to thinking the other day, while I was giving a little boy a tattoo for his birthday. I realized all the lessons I've learned just from being an airbrush tattoo artist. So, today, I figured I would share some with you all.
Find the joy in the little things.
When little kids show their excitement and happiness when they are getting their tattoo done, I can't help but smile like a girl getting a cute text from her crush. These types of kids make me so, so joyous. I get that tingly feeling inside that a person gets when they get a major compliment from someone they highly respect. These kids know the true meaning of finding joy in the little things. Something as simple as an airbrush tattoo that will only last a few days (let's face it, they're probably gone after a few hours) can give a child so much joy to their life. That amazes me. Us older kids (we're all kids at heart, right?) need to start finding the joy in the little things more often. Starting now.
It's okay to make mistakes.
Nobody is perfect. Nobody except Jesus. We all make mistakes on a daily basis. It's just how we humans are. When I'm giving an airbrush tattoo, the likelihood of the stencil moving is very high. When this happens, mistakes are made and the tattoo becomes fuzzy and 3D looking. I never say anything about it to my customers when this happens. I smile and think to myself, "Please don't say anything, please don't say anything." And guess what, no one ever says anything. The person getting the tattoo is always so happy about the result. I love it. This has really taught me that it is okay to make mistakes. Just don't make them intentionally.
Sometimes you will encounter not-so-pleasant people, and that's okay.
Not every person is going to be happy about getting an airbrush tattoo. Most of the time, it's the parent or whoever is with the child. I had a lady bring her two grand-kids to my booth the other day, and she was one of the most hateful people I've ever encountered. She wouldn't let her kids physically touch the counter, even though I told them to so I could steadily do their tattoo. She stood behind them the entire time, griping about how trashy tattoos are and how atrocious she thought it was that her kids were getting tattoos. Mind you, these are airbrush tattoos. They are fake. Temporary. All you have to do to remove them is scrub them with rubbing alcohol. Having an airbrush tattoo does not make a person trashy. I'm almost twenty years old, and I think they're the coolest thing ever! I would sport airbrush tattoos all over the park if I could (sometimes, I do this anyways). Those unpleasant people that you cross paths with don't mean anything. Don't allow their attitudes to bring you down. Chances are, you won't remember them two days down the road.
Price doesn't always matter.
Before you go out and buy every Prada purse and every Lilly Pulitzer jeep known to man, please understand what I mean by this. Our airbrush tattoos can get a little pricey if you start adding extra colors. I've heard several times that the price isn't worth it. And I agree, on occasions. But, if spending a little extra money on something brings you happiness, then go for it. If you're worried about not having enough money, put your faith and trust in God. He provides for us. He will always provide for us. God doesn't leave us hanging even though sometimes it seems like He does. But we have to put our complete faith and complete trust in God. You'll see what amazing things He does when you do that. If I didn't put my complete faith and trust in God, I wouldn't be attending one of the best universities in the world (yes, I am very biased toward ORU), I would've been struggling to raise the money to go to South Dakota back in the spring for missions and I certainly would not be able to be living my dream of dancing with a professional ballet company. So, it's okay to spend a little extra money. God will provide for you.
