Jack Sparrow: "True enough, this compass does not point north." Elizabeth Swan "...Where does it point?" Jack Sparrow: "It points to the thing you want most in this world."

It is 2am, I cant sleep so I turn on the TV and one of my favorite movies is playing; Pirates of the Caribbean. The Curse of the Black Pearl.

This tale, this legend involves the famous pirate Captain Jack Sparrow and a young black smith Will Turner.  Together they set off to save the love of Will’s life; Elizabeth Swan as well as recapture the Black Pearl and recover the treasure that Jack seeks. 

When I turned the TV on Jack and Will are facing a storm, chasing after the Black Pearl. Through the wind, rain, and waves Jack is looking at his compass, a compass that doesn’t point north.

Will Turner: How can we sail to an island that nobody can find with a compass that doesn't work?

Mr. Gibbs: Aye, the compass doesn't point North. But we're not trying to find North, are we?

Watching this scene I thought where does my compass point? What is the thing I want most in this world? So at 2 in the morning watching Captain Jack Sparrow head into the direction of what he wants most I started to draw my own compass and this past weekend this compass I drew became my first tattoo. 

The compass meaning.

Compass: A compass provides direction and guidance. 

Nordic Star: The star symbolizes hope, guidance, aspiration and dreams.

Anchor: The anchor symbolized a sailor who has crossed the Atlantic Ocean. It depicts their love for the sea, along with hope, love and strength.

The Arrows:

An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep aiming.

Sparrow: The sparrow is actually the same sparrow Johnny Dept (Captain Jack Sparrow) has on his arm.  It symbolizes freedom, bound by no rules or boundaries. Even with this symbolization of freedom this bird also acts as a guide back home. You will never be lost.

Tro Hopp Karlek: These words are placed around my compass and they mean Believe, Hope and Love in Swedish. 

XII, III, and IV: The numbers represent the numbers on a clock.

My Meaning

I don’t know what direction I am heading in or what will come my way but I am in the search for what I want most.

I feel everyone holds a light; this light can give people hope.  It is a light towards a dream, towards something bigger than myself and I hope this Nordic star can guide me.

I did not cross the Atlantic on a boat but I have crossed the Atlantic and been on a great adventure.  I have a love for the sea, the ocean, etc.  I think the Sea has a great healing power both physically and mentally.

I placed the sparrow in the Northeast of the tattoo because that is where I come from in the US. I value my freedom and I live without boundaries but when I am lost I can always find the place where I came from.

I wrote believe, hope and love in Swedish because I have lived in Sweden now for three years and I want it to represent my time here. I can speak the language fluently. I think it is beautiful…

 If you really look at the star you can see that it is broken. The parts that are in black are a bit empty. The tattoo artist told me if would be better if I filled those parts fully because in time the tattoo will become smaller and the black will fill in on its own and it will be whole. To me, that was perfect!! There are holes I need to fill and things I want to achieve and in time I will be full.

You never know how much time you have. I am in search of something and don’t know where my compass points. I am in search of believing in something, in search of finding hope, in search of love.  At times I have found these things, lost these things and I am continuing to search.

I have had struggles. I have had difficulties and I have also had some of the greatest experiences and experienced such happiness. I feel like when that feeling comes it is almost to good to be true… Now I am in a new search. I want to shoot myself into that direction I seek and am ready to launch into something great!

Jack Sparrow: "True enough, this compass does not point north."

Elizabeth Swan "...Where does it point?"

Jack Sparrow: "It points to the thing you want most in this world."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNkuE5p3-pA 

"A joy that is shared is a joy made double" English proverb

One of my best friends is 80 years old… Her name is Joanne.  Joanne has known me since before I was born. She babysat my mom and then my self as well as every one of my siblings. 

She was there for me when I was sick and I knew her as the “water lady” Every time she came over she would make sure that I had water. If I didn’t she would bring me a giant cup and say, “Drink your water. It will save your life.” To be honest I think it did. I hated it and I hated water but I really do think it was a big factor in my survival.

Joanne lives right next to a soccer field. I would run to the field, train and then go visit her after. She would tell me that it was “too hot to play” or “I train to much” and then make me sit down next to her and drink a “big glass of water” as well as make me eat. Every time I go over there she wants to give me something of hers whether it is a small gesture of food or literally something from her wardrobe. I think she would give me her left arm if she could.  She is the most generous and best person I have ever met.

We talk about anything and everything. When I go over and visit I know I will be there for at least 2 hours and I enjoy every second of it.

When Meghan died I had a really hard time. I started to become really homesick.. On top of that that the club I was coaching for screwed me over $1000.. I had worked my ass of for that money and did not get very much to say the least. So I had nothing.

 I was thinking of quitting playing and I missed my family. My family was struggling with a lot then, financially and other things. I did not want to add my sorrows onto their shoulders as well.

Joanne called me. I was sitting outside on this bench and I told her about Meghan and that I wanted to quit playing and drop out of school. My grades were bad, soccer did not feel right and I just felt horrible. She asked me if I missed my family.. I said yes. She asked, “Do they know?” I said “no.” I was crying quite hysterically at this point and she gave me some of the best advice I could get. “TELL THEM. TELL THEM HOW YOU FEEL. They miss you to. It will be ok.”

I told them and went home for Easter and it was the best thing for me; to go home and to see the people I love. Then it also made me realize how much I loved Florida and that I need to straighten out. My grades went up but soccer still didn’t feel the same. Not until I met Tracy Jones at soccerplus (another conversation that had a major impact on my life)

Last week I received some extremely sad news.  Joanne’s daughter has Parkinson’s disease; she passed away at a young age. My heart broke..

I called Joanne and when she picked up the phone and said hello I could hear and feel this extreme sadness that I have never felt from her and then she heard that it was me on the other line and that sadness turned into this extreme joy.. It was like I took this sadness from her, even if it was just for just for a second. It took everything in me not to start crying on the phone. This call just gave her so much joy. She was so happy to talk to me. A simple phone call…  I am one of her joys. She is mine.

I have my last game with Tyreso today. There is so much I have to thank them for.. I found my soccer joy. When I play I want to spread that. I want people to come watch me play so I can be the reason to make a difference, to make someone happy. To be a joy.. So many bad things happen everyday all around the world.. But then you have moments, moments of joy. Cherish these moments and spread it.