Would you describe yourself - as I do - as introspective? If so, would you also say - as I would - that you frequently struggle to hold back tears? I've wondered most of my adult life about the link between these two temperamental traits of mine.
I've known people I would describe as introspective that don't appear to struggle as much as me with tears. How often do you encounter folks like this? Though not proud of it, I'm obliged to admit I'm a little jealous of people like this. And though I never have, more than once I've been tempted to ask these folks to share a strategy with me. This is especially the case following an episode when my tears just don't seem to want to stop.
Who knows? Maybe a few of those introspective folks will read this post and offer me some help. Even better, maybe the help offered to me will also assist one of you who sometimes fights the same battle as I do.
I do this too, but often it is not at the expected but the unexpected. This had me running to the ancients because they cried a lot! I found this gem from Virgil: "sunt lacrimae rerum" "There are tears for things" Now you have me thinking....I'm going to jump off this and write something about tears...
ReplyDeleteRegina; Thanks for the comment and the quote from Virgil. Glad this post gave you something to build on.
DeleteYour tears? That's one of my favorite things about you, my friend. XOXOXOOX
ReplyDeleteMy anonymous friend; Thanks for the comment and re-assurance.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat, yes I relate to this heavily. Recently, I read Tillie Olsen’s short story ‘I Stand Here Ironing’ for the first time. For whatever reason, and for the first time ever out of nowhere, it made me *almost* cry. I felt the tears well up in my eyes, that story was moving. Wow. Being able to cry and feeling the need to do so is a great thing. It’s not immature or childish, it’s being in tune with yourself and feeling all the feelings!
ReplyDeleteDaniel; Thanks for reading my blog and for your first comment. That Tillie Olsen story you cited is a classic. The fact that it brought tears to your eyes at such a young age is a testament to your maturity as a discerning reader. I'm fairly certain I was quite a bit older than you before I "got" that story enough to be moved to tears. Keep reading and learning; you have a bright future ahead of you.
DeleteHey Pat,
ReplyDeleteLet me just add ... More times than I can say. Many more times. I feel it welling inside me watching movies, watching regular TV, listening to music ... I can feel the emotions growing and I make, what I believe are unseen, efforts to keep the feelings inside. I honestly don't know why, or when it first started, but .. it's what I do. Maybe one day I'll let them out. My daughter also has this trait - not to keep the emotions inside - but just having them. I used to tell her that she would cry at a dog food commercial. When it hits her, and she lets it go, she calls it 'ugly crying'. I don't share that description.
Be well,
Bob
Bob; I guess you're one of those people I need help from, i.e., you feel this stuff but are able to successfully stem the tide, unlike me or your daughter. This is definitely a subject for a future face-to-face conversation.
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