Jersey Shore

Last year, we reported on Vinny’s tattoo, but he said he couldn’t reveal the meaning of the new ink until “Season 5.” On last night’s Jersey Shore Season 5, Episode 4: “Free Vinny,” we got to see the new message up close and personal: Let Go Let God.

But Ronnie and JWOWW weren’t the only ones baffled by the meaning — large question marks loomed over our heads, too. The phrase initially seems like a hokey spiritual saying, which it is, but it has a much larger, and more specific, symbolism in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Its meaning is summed up on 12step.com:

“Letting go and letting God is accomplished by not allowing outside influences to affect your sobriety. ‘It’s not my fault that X happened. I won’t take the blame and I won’t respond by using. I’ll let God handle this one.’ The practical outcome is reduced stress and pressure to live the perfect life or take on more than we can bear.”

The phrase also has non-sobriety connotations. “Let go and let God,” is a popular Christian affirmation, which is why it became so important to AA. According to Unity.org, the affirmation is mean tot help people who are going through tough times because “life becomes easier when divine wisdom is at the forefront of each decision.”

We already know that Vinny has suffered from generalized anxiety disorder for most of his adult life, but should the roommates be concerned that the “recovery” he mentioned last night has to do with other, more sensitive issues? Then again, if Vinny really is a recovering alcoholic he probably wouldn’t have returned to the booze-soaked Shore house. He probably just adopted the popular spiritual phrase to help him deal with his on-going anxiety issues.

Sources: 12Step.com; Unity.org

Watch an all-new Jersey Shore on Thursday, February 2 at 10pm ET/PT on MTV

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