“When after heavy rain the storm clouds disperse, is it not that they’ve wept themselves clear to the end?” Ghalib
Grief is a natural response of the heart. Grieving, we allow ourselves to feel the truth of the pain that our loss has left with us. As we mourn, we allow our bodies to acknowledge, integrate and accept the immensity of our losses. We can and do grieve in many different ways, grieving in tears being one of them. Tears are part of the storm clouds of our hearts and releasing the grief we carry is a long, tear-filled process.
I am in no way suggesting that all people need to react to emotional pain with tears if that is not their authentic response. However, Dr. Judith Orloff states that “for over twenty years as a physician, I’ve witnessed, time and again, the healing power of tears. Tears are your body’s release valve for stress, sadness, grief, anxiety, and frustration…. In my own life, I am grateful when I can cry. It feels cleansing, a way to purge pent up emotions so they don’t lodge in my body as stress symptoms such as fatigue or pain. To stay healthy and release stress, I encourage my patients to cry. For both men and women, tears are a sign of courage, strength, and authenticity.”
Unfortunately, our society has perpetuated the belief that one who cries is weak, especially if you are male. There are many other societies that accept crying as a natural response to an overwhelming situation. A response of bravely allowing one’s feelings to show, to cleanse and to heal. Whatever your way of grieving, be true to what your own heart encourages you to do.
