Tears
To weep is to make less the depth of grief. ~William Shakespeare
The land of tears is a mysterious place as each tear droplet expresses the beauty of its pain or joy. Tears cleanse our souls and powerfully release the pressure we feel in our daily lives. Tears help us focus our vision and our purpose. It gives us the ability to hear and feel our heart again.
Tears need to be shed as they help the body and soul to cleanse many toxins of bitterness and anger, and of disappointments and shame. Tears help our other organs to stay free of disease and sickness, for if one cannot weep, our bodies will. The saltiness of our tears helps to remind us of its cleansing power. As I sit in stillness, I think of the many who are shedding tears, sacred and mysterious perhaps even to their own understanding.
I think of those that weep for their marriage wondering if relief will ever come to their private and lonely pain, and longing and praying for oneness and togetherness in its truest form. At the same time, however, realizing that the shaping of their own character is the forming of an art piece as they search for lasting answers.
I think of the many parents that weep over their children as they continually search for ways to instill in them what is right and what is wrong. The pain they experience as their child grows and finds greater independence, and often pushing away parental guidance. The fear of loss and control brings many to bitter tears. Yet, perhaps a realization and a finding of their deeper self will bring thanksgiving into their hearts, and the understanding that our children are never truly ours, but have been given into our care - for only a short season.
Tears express the language of love which brings such joy and pain to so many. Innumerable tears will be shed as they learn that the other can never be possessed and that the value of separateness will bring value to their togetherness.
Those with greater awareness and understanding will weep many tears. For they have been given the gift of greater responsibility. Only with diligence and commitment to yet a deeper and higher purpose will they understand that the solving of human dilemmas can never come from their limited resources, wit, and cleverness. Wisdom cries out - for its effect is far beyond human intellect. It is available to all those who seek it.
As war prevails in our world due to the pride of men, many tears are shed for the loss of precious lives. The pain of such a loss goes deep and only the healing balm of God’s grace can mend such a broken heart.
Many elderly have been forgotten and are alone. Their tears flow with many regrets wondering if they could have lived life differently. At the same time, others will shed tears of joy as they see the fruit of their own diligent labor and prayers flourish and thrive. They will not fear death, but will await it with wonderment.
The downtrodden and lonely hearts cry tears of their own perceived inadequacies. They wonder what it is they could ever offer this world. Yet, it is in these humble souls that the purity of prayer is heard and answered. Their silent strength is a great gift to this world.
As all of us will shed many tears due to our frailties, our weaknesses, and lack of courage, may strength be found to forgive ourselves. These tears will teach empathy for others as one becomes sensitive to knowing that each person carries a burden. This understanding is the path to forgive others. It is in this continued searching for greater wisdom, courage, and strength that life can be well lived. Ones own courage will be realized as we express our regrets to those we have injured. It may be the most healing and meaningful gift you could ever offer. Let us have the courage to make things right as best as we can and learn to be compassionate in all of our dealings.
At the end of this life, it will not have mattered what our profession was and how many wonderful things we have accomplished on this earth. Who we were will have mattered - for it will have left a lasting affect.
Tears are truly a gift - a wonderful gift to ourselves.
You, oh Lord tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: Ps. 56:8
Viola,
This is beautiful - your insight is truely a gift from God.
R
Comment by Rebecca — June 5, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
This is a great write tears are one thing that shows our humanity and shows our emotions a good write.
Steve
Comment by Orion — June 5, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
Tears are one of the voices of the soul…well written hun, you touched on the subject with gentle skill.
Comment by eternalwytch — June 5, 2007 @ 9:09 pm
Lovely heartfelt discourse. A very feminine perspective.
Maybe the world would be a better place with more women in positions of power.
Comment by quantum — June 5, 2007 @ 9:10 pm
I have missed your writing Viola. I so needed to read this as of lately I have felt like crying. Well penned.
Comment by Rose — June 9, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
Hi Rose,
Glad you came to visit me here today. I missed seeing you stop by as well. I hope everything will get better soon for you. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Comment by Viola Jaynes — June 9, 2007 @ 11:50 pm
I was having a conversation about a subject very close to this just the other day with my girlfriend. About why it is we actually cry, what function does it have, why is it connected with overwhelming greif, fear, love and happiness. It is a strange and unexplainable thing, at least to those who do not know! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, it is full of little wisdoms and insights. I wont list them ofcourse as I would just be re-writing your piece. It is a wonderful short study on the subject of tears and their various functions within us and through us.
Comment by Cparker — June 10, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
This post is full of wisdom. Personally I believe tears are a sacred part of a woman’s life.
Tears assist us in releasing emotion that has no where else to go.
So cry on life lovers, cry on.
Comment by AprilFlowers — June 11, 2007 @ 3:03 am
what a wonderful piece! i too believe that tears are a gift, its sad that some have been led to believe that tears are a sign of weakness.
thank you for sharing this story, may it enlighten those who have held back tears ll this time. the ability to cry is directly proportional to the size of ones heart.
keep writing!
paro
Comment by Paro — June 16, 2007 @ 6:06 am
Beautiful essay. I’ve always felt as though tears are God’s tranquilizors.
Loved this!
Julie
Comment by Julie — June 18, 2007 @ 11:28 pm
Really nice piece . Full of wisdom.
It is the first time to read about tears like that.
Your word reflects a senstive soul .
Comment by MAR — June 30, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
In Sri Aurobindo’s words: “Pain is the hand of God sculpting man to greatness”. But I feel that one must never want pain, the ultimate aim must be to evolve without the ‘need’ for pain. Sure, we are far from the ideal right now, but as long as we have a (conscious or subconscious) need for pain, it is not going to go away…
Comment by Sid — September 14, 2007 @ 2:57 am
Sid, thank you for your thought provoking comment here. I just visited your site and it is beautiful!
Comment by Viola Jaynes — September 14, 2007 @ 12:34 pm