/mâi-bpen-rai/ [v.] No worries
Many Thai people say this for “you’re welcome” or “it’s okay”, “no problem”, or “don’t worry about it”
I also did more research on the phrase before I got it, and I learned that Thai people don’t like asking for help. They are an independent culture, and asking for help is a hard thing for them. Also, if someone asks them if they can help, or how if they can do something for them, the person will usually respond with the same phrase, even if they really do want the help. They don’t want to admit the vulnerability.
I like the Thai people have a hard time asking for help. If someone asks me if they can help when I am busy, overwhelmed, or just stressed out, I usually reply with “Don’t worry about it, I am almost done.” The tattoo is a simple reminder to myself, that is is okay to ask for help and understand that I can not do everything on my own.
Something else this tattoo is a reminder of is giving up my control. On the World Race I have learned to abandon many things, which includes my control. I have learned to depend on God because I am constantly walking in to the unknown. I usually have no idea what is happening from day to day. It has been a battle to give up my worry and realize that God has it all under control and that it’s okay to wonder sometimes. Even when I don’t know what is going on, God always has a plan and his plan is far greater than mine!
So here’s to living a life of mâi-bpen-rai. Living with less worries, and less control of everything. Here’s to God’s plan being far greater than my own, and the immeasurably more he has for me!
