''Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regret so love the ones who treat you right and forget the ones who don't. Remember everything happens for a reason. If it changes your life, let it. No-one said it would be easy. They just promised it would be worth it to live your life and chase your dreams.''
How apt are these words inked on the body of Todd Carney?
They seem to sum up nicely the tumultuous journey 28-year-old Carney has had in rugby league and life in general, especially after his recent sacking from the Cronulla Sharks after an image of him urinating in his own mouth went viral on social media.
On its own, many who have experienced drinking their own bodily fluids (for survival or shocking purposes) may think this punishment is a bit on the excessive side.
Why was this act unforgivable?
Is it the most vulgar act anyone could perform and share on social media? Is it the most degrading thing for rugby league to be associated with?
Many rugby league players have got away with a lot worse in the past such as domestic assaults, defecating, driving under the influence, and all matter of drunken debauchery.
What makes this case so different?
When we consider that Carney has been sacked from two other clubs (Canberra Raiders and Sydney Roosters) for a series of booze-filled dramas, however, the most recent sacking is more understandable.
It seems Carney lives and breathes the message tattooed on his back - he has no regrets, life happens, it isn't easy but it's short, live your life and chase your dreams.
How many chances does a person get?
How many times should we turn a blind eye to these laddish antics?
When do coaches, managers, team-mates and administrators say enough is enough and stop making excuses for their players?
Rugby league is really trying to tidy up its public image and so anyone who brings the game into disrepute is getting the tough love treatment.
Changing the culture of a sport that embraces risk-taking, machismo, and working-class values is not going to be easy, and in fact trying to change culture in an environment where members don't want to change may be a losing battle.
The support for Carney and the numerous Facebook pages mimicking Carney's act demonstrates how social media can both condemn and corroborate a person or act.
On a personal level, isn't it interesting how athletes repeat certain behaviours that have worked for them in the past and thus been reinforced?
Luis Suarez learnt that biting his opponents worked some of the time and we all know how long John Hopoate was getting away with his tactic before getting reprimanded.
This isn't the first time urine has featured in Carney's naughty file.
In 2008 he urinated on a man at a nightclub and although he did receive game suspensions the charges were eventually dropped.
Obviously, all the punishment dished out to Carney during his rugby league career hasn't been enough to make an indelible impact on this man's approach to life.
In his own words, Carney has said that ''you can't turn back time and worry about things.
If you could, no-one would have a worry in their life. There are always changes in life - you've got to let them happen.''
True, some things happen because you have no control over them, but other things happen because you choose to act in a certain way.
For Carney, his latest life choice may potentially mean the end to his NRL career.
He didn't put the image in cyber-space but he did provide the content.
Maybe it is time to rethink that poem etched into his body forever and consider that sometimes ''regret'' exists to guide us, not restrict us.
