... that I would be good ...

Scars form as part of the healing process after you have been physically hurt. After the healing process, you are fine and functioning again, with the scar as a little reminder of the process you went through. But what if you were psychologically hurt, worked hard to become fine and functioning again, should that process have left a scar too ?

While I am not a particular Alanis Morisette fan, the MTV Unplugged album of 1999 has been steady in my top 10 of listened albums ever since. At one point the idea just stuck; the lyrics of That I Would Be Good are a perfect representation of my process.
To tattoo this “as if I’ve just written it with a Sharpie” would be that scar for me.

Lyrics

That I would be good, even if I did nothing
That I would be good, even if I got the thumbs down
That I would be good if I got and stayed sick
That I would be good even if I gained ten pounds

That I would be fine even if I went bankrupt
That I would be good if I lost my hair and my youth
That I would be great if I was no longer queen
That I would be grand if I was not all knowing

That I would be loved even when I numb myself
That I would be good even when I am overwhelmed
That I would be loved even when I was fuming
That I would be good even if I was clingy
That I would be good even if I lost sanity

That I would be good
Whether with or without you

Released on Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie album from 1998, released as a single in 1999
Yes, I like Sharpies too; this in particular is my Holy Grail of unobtainable Sharpie

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