In a recent email exchange with my sweet, wise lifelong friend (and brother) Sage, he mentioned that he and his beautiful Judith had recently seen the Lion King, and were so moved by the experience that they had “wept unabashedly” – which, of course is absolutely right – unabashedly is the only way to weep.
I got to thinking about the oft used phrase: “I was reduced to tears”. I’m thinking that the correct understanding is just the opposite: it should be elevated to tears.
Quite often in my coaching work (and in regular life too), on a topic of big emotion, my client (or friend) might tear up, and too often start to apologize for it – as though there was something wrong with that. I tell them that it is quite the contrary: I am honored that they choose to share their beautiful tears with me. It is a privilege to be trusted by someone at this level of pure honesty.
I have this belief that if we humans do make it (we’ll see), it will be due to our capacity to cry and about what our tears stand for: the power to feel joy, sorrow, remorse, compassion…and of course, love!
Maybe, just maybe, our planet can become green again, nourished by our beautiful tears.
Be kind to yourself, have the best holiday…and please, “cry unabashedly”.
Metta,
Michael
