Keep on fighting for what is right!
My journey with Turkey and Doğa Derneği has been ongoing for well over twelve months now. I have to say that it has been a very exciting journey with many unexpected turns. I feel that I am a very different person now than I was before I fell for the beautiful country and beautiful people of Turkey. I feel very lucky to have the passion and drive to fight for something that I know is so very important.
There are of course times when I look at my permanently marked hands and arms and think to myself ’what the hell am I doing’! At these times, my shimmers of doubt are short lived as I look at the amazing artwork (thanks to the astounding skills of Richard Batey of Immortal Art Studio) and remember why I am doing this. I remember the massive support I continuously receive and I remember that what I am doing is making a difference.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking to another supporter of Doğa Derneği. We discussed how it can sometimes be difficult to keep fuelling the energy for fighting for what we believe in. Sometimes the responses we get can be negative and you feel like you are hitting a brick wall. However as our conversation continued we realised that even if you speak to thousands of people and only one understands or is impassioned by what you are saying; this one positive reaction is worth the fighting for. It is so important to keep fighting for what you know is right!
I know what I am doing is my calling in life. I am passionate about Turkey and will continue fighting for this countries wildlife and people with every ounce of my soul.
When I came up with the idea of getting my arms tattooed to raise awareness of the biodiversity disasters in Turkey I never dreamt that this project would take off as it has. I knew tattoos are not in line with everyone’s tastes or beliefs. However I am not needing approval; I just want peoples attention. I want people to listen to the story that absolutely needs telling. I have been blown away by the positive reactions I have had from people. I am so pleased most people see and understand what I am doing and why!
I thank everyone for their continued support of this mad tattooed Englishman! There is a long journey ahead, but I can assure you that I will be always fighting with passion!
There is more information about my project here:
http://www.theinkednaturalist.co.uk/who-inked-naturalist-tattoos-meets-conservation/
http://www.justgiving.com/givingmyrightarm
