If we can't recognize and feel the pain and suffering within ourselves, we can't possibly be compassionate with others. There has been an unfortunate demand over the past few decades of "do not cry," especially applied to little boys. "Stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about." I've heard that one; likely you have, too. That cuts off a vital part of human experience, one that is absolutely essential to being a healthy human in healthy relationships. Crying is soul-rinsing, a regularly needed self-care practice. I would add that it doesn't matter whether we know the source of the tears--it could be anger, fear, frustration or joy--just let them flow. The more comfortable we become with our own tears, the more we can be comfortable with the tears of others. I don't think anyone ever died from crying or from being around someone who is crying. Babies wouldn't survive without crying--it is a natural organic human bodily function.
Let's embrace crying, our own and others, with compassion.
Leta
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