As a counselor, I know that it is good to let yourself cry. Crying is a release of emotion and allows us to process our sadness in healthy ways and prevents our grief from becoming internalized. But…come on…sometimes enough is enough already! So, in all of my recent attempts to try not to cry I have found the following very helpful:
1. Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth as hard as you can.
2. Open your eyes as wide as they will allow, look up, and blink.
3. Clap your hands, slap your thigh, or squeeze an object.
4. Busy yourself in an activity (cleaning is a good one).
5. Play mindless music that has no real meaning or message.
Anything on a Top-40 station works well.
The other day, I was driving down the road and having a particularly hard time keeping it together. I was trying all of my tricks but none were working. I turned the radio on, but I was paying it no mind. I was lost in thought and consumed by tears. Knowing it’s not smart to “cry & drive”, I looked in my baby-mirror to check on the boys. What I saw brought a hint of a smile to my heart which quickly turned into blatant laughter. Asher and Zephan were jamming away in their carseats to the hip-hop song playing. Then Asher busted-out along with the chorus “Shorty got low, low, low, low, low, low…..” and I could not help but laugh. My children continue to be the best antidote to my blues.
Here are some pictures taken yesterday of the boys having one of their typical dance parties.
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
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Anonymous says
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Anonymous says
It was very interesting for me to read this post. Thanks for it. I like such topics and everything that is connected to them. I would like to read more on that blog soon.
grady says
sometimes tears can be joyful as well. my little boy can crawl into my lap and bring this tuff old bird to tears in a split second.
Anonymous says
i am amazed at how powerful tears can be. i like your strategies but know from experience how there are times when we just can’t stop ’em. thats how it is with laughter, too (picture me in the third row at church, 7 years old). it overcomes us.
i’m glad we’ve laughed together so much over the years. Know that i am crying with you these days, too.
-sc
Dr. Baughman says
I liked your last entry, it made me smile. I know its hard telling people what to do and how to cope all day. I end up having to do a bit of it my self. As a counselor, you have to use yourself as the yardstick against which you hold up to the patient… and sometimes I think aren’t I just the pot calling the kettle black… but it helps to know that I’m not alone.