This tattoo is a Cambodian Proverb which, in English, translates to “Wisdom rides on your own neck”.

I’ve gone through a lot of shit this past year; whether it be stress from school, dealing with family problems, or even having to put up with my own personal issues that can’t be put into words. I wanted to get something that would represent myself and my ethnicity, along with my culture, for the longest time, and thought that this would be perfect. So I got this earlier today as a much deserved Christmas present to myself.

You experience things throughout your life — whether it be good, bad, painful, happy, or even traumatizing. All of these things… they’re never going to disappear. They’re always going to be there with you no matter how much you try to block it out of your memory. Why not make the most of it? You learn from your past and you grow wiser from it. You become stronger as you deal with all the bullshit you have to put up with everyday, and hopefully, you come out a better person.

Done by Manuel Cruz at Needlez N Threadz in Norco, California.

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