Since when?

The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy. ~Jim Rohn

(Picture me, stepping up on my soapbox now. There is no event to prompt my post tonight apart from what I've observed for quite some time now as an epidemic of "non-emotion" in the world around me. It's disturbing me, and tonight I felt the need to share about it.)

Since when has it become such a horrific thought to show emotion, to be sensitive, to be REAL? There seems to be an undercurrent nowadays that says to shed a tear is to be weak. I disagree. Now, I am not talking about a full-out blubbering mess that's embarrassing to all involved. I am talking about that freedom to be genuine with those around you. Some of the people whom I admire the most are ones who aren't afraid to, on occasion, let a tear slide down their cheek if they're touched by something or if they're truly grieved by a situation, whether it be their own or another's. I never have to wonder if those people are putting up a facade with the world - their hearts are transparent. By the same token, people who don't hesitate to laugh whole-heartedly or share their thoughts honestly also seem to be some of the healthiest.

If the standard was applied with balance, perhaps it would be more palatable to me. However, it's not. When's the last time that you saw someone lose his/her temper in public and thought, "My, that person is certainly weak?" Yet in my mind that is as much a weakness (if not more) than someone who shows sensitivity in public. Sensitivity rarely hurts those around you, but anger expressed nearly always does. How can that not be a moment of weakness? People who are confrontational, demeaning, or flat-out rude certainly may earn a reputation for themselves or be called choice names, but the adjective "weak" is rarely tied to them. In my book, those are the first people who should be labeled as weak because their emotional display is wounding through words or actions.

Personal opinions aside, my biggest argument with the push that I see in society to be uncaring and unsympathetic is that it contradicts the Jesus I love with my whole heart. I'll come back later and add in the scripture references to this later, but for now I am just typing what's been rumbling through my heart and mind to share tonight. Jesus wept!! I can think of at least two or three times that Jesus felt and expressed true sorrow - and shock ... He did not wait until He was isolated. He shared that sorrow with those around Him! Jesus got mad in the temple! (notice that it was a righteous anger) Jesus felt alone and abandoned in the Garden. He felt uncertain. Jesus felt disappointment by those closest to Him. Jesus felt and gave love. He felt human emotions and was our model through each and every one.

I'm not saying here that we should walk around showing any one emotion to a drastic extent. Emotion without balance is obviously unhealthy. But God did not create the full realm of emotions for no reason - He is a God of Purpose. I suppose I just wish that when we walk down the street, down the halls at work, through the rooms of the house, we would all have freedom to be truly real with one another.

With that, I'll step down from my soapbox, with a welcoming to you to agree or disagree with me on any or all points. But whatever you do, please just be real. :-)
Much love,
Sheryl