JoAnn vs JoAnn

People have often asked why I chose a Chinese dragon eternally chasing the pearl of wisdom to tattoo on my body. I never answer directly. I deflect with a joke about how I should have gotten the dragon that caught the pearl instead.

Here’s the deal. The dragon in Chinese mythology is a blessed and revered creature that symbolizes abundance, good fortune. It is literally a rainmaker. It is known for its wisdom. It pursues the sacred pearl which symbolizes truth, everlasting life, and enlightenment. The dragon’s secret is that it doesn’t need to capture the pearl. It has already captured and released it a thousand times…like a cat with a ball. It’s more gambol than pursuit.

It is a reminder of both who I am, at times…and who I aspire to be, at other times.