A Return to Our Living Self

“Crying puts us back in touch with the most human and living part of us.”

In a world that often asks us to keep it together, move on quickly, and stay strong and composed, crying remains one of the most honest and raw expressions of what

it means to be alive

Crying is not weakness. It is not something to hide, excuse,

or silence.It is the body saying,

“Something here matters deeply.”

The Language of the Body

When we cry, it’s not just tears that flow.It’s the knot in the throat that finally loosens.The shoulders drop, the chest opens, the stomach relaxes.There’s a gentle unravelling, as if the body is saying:“You don’t have to hold it all together anymore.”

Emotions live in the body. What we suppress emotionally often shows up physically — as tension, stiffness, or fatigue. Crying is one of the ways our system self-regulates, allowing what was stuck to move again.

The Biochemistry of Crying

Crying is not just an emotional act; it has important physiological and biochemical effects.When we cry, the body releases endorphins and oxytocin, natural chemicals that act as painkillers and promote feelings of calm and well-being.

Additionally, crying helps reduce levels of stress hormones like cortisol, which lowers physical and mental tension. Tears themselves contain chemical byproducts that are flushed out, contributing to an inner cleansing process.

These biochemical processes help explain why, after crying, we often feel lighter, calmer, and more centered.

Letting Go Is a Beginning

Crying is a form of letting go, and all letting go is a kind of rebirth.

Whether it’s grief, joy, overwhelm, tenderness, or a pain without words, tears create space for truth to surface. They carry what cannot yet be named, speaking the quiet language of release.They say, “I am feeling this. I am here. I am human.”

Connection Through Vulnerability

When we allow ourselves to cry truly cry we allow others to meet us where we really are.

In a moment of shared tears, masks fall away. We are no longer roles or performances, but people: fragile, real, connected.This vulnerability is not something to fear. It is the gateway to intimacy, empathy, and healing.

An Invitation to Feel

If your eyes fill with tears, let them flow.If your heart aches, don’t rush to silence it.To cry is to allow life to move through you honestly and courageously.

Maybe next time you feel the tears coming, you can pause.Place a hand on your chest, breathe into the softness, and remember:This too is life. This too is love.

If you’re reading this and feeling something stirring inside, know this:

You are not alone

You don’t have to carry it all alone

And your tears are sacred

Tashi Delek

Mariana