TEARS TO A WATERFALL
My first form of therapy was music (and, let’s be honest, it remains my loyal therapist). Most of the time, I let the music take me (along with my body) to another place, and when I start to really like a song, my attention reverts to the lyrics.
Sometimes learning the lyrics can completely kill a song for me (“Did he really just say that about her and think it was ok?!” *changes song*), but more often than not, I immediately connect my own history to something in the lyrics.
My current playlist is full of strong, female vocalists. Their poetically potent lyrics in combination with their soul-strong vocals have been a huge inspiration to me this past year.
Occasionally, I decide to take a break from my own music, I’ll choose a random station on spotify, and if something catches my ear, I check out the song title. I know that my app will keep a record of it, but I always take a look anyway.
A few days ago, I opened my app to change the song and noticed the song title, “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall”. I took the title so literally that I imagined a woman crying into a stream of tears at the foot of a towering waterfall, the sparkling centerpiece of a tropical lush lagoon. What if the tears of every woman were saved into this waterfall as a kind of offering? What if this waterfall could be a place of cleansing for other women who find themselves in times of difficulty, trauma, and pain?
I am fortunate that my journey into adulthood has brought women into my life who appreciate and accept tears as part of a spiritual and cleansing experience. However, society still holds a strong stigma against crying. Shame often comes with crying and many consider it a sign of weakness. Though it is more acceptable, and even expected, for women to cry in response to painful situations, crying is often seen as a signal that there is something wrong.
It’s true that we may shed tears in times of sadness, pain, and desperation, but I believe that along with tears comes special power. I’ve always thought it somewhat magical how the physical body so naturally responds to sadness and pain by letting out liquid from our eyes. It usually just happens; without our control or consent.
If something moves us, we can cry tears of happiness and joy, too. No matter what the reason, I don’t think any tear need go to waste. Every tear that we shed in this life can be a contribution to a collective of healing nectar, a cleansing waterfall of tears.
We can see crying as collecting little jars full of magic fluid to one day aid in the healing of others.
Once we’ve arrived on the other side of a certain pain or trauma, we are stronger and braver, with a greater capacity to love. Even if we don’t believe it to be so, we remain standing for a reason. By sharing the tears we’ve shed and the wisdom we’ve gained from our experiences, we can help others cope during their own times of darkness.
The eyes are said to be the windows to the soul and what a beautiful way the body has found to cleanse the very gateway into our heart space.
There was a time when I felt ashamed for crying, but now I am grateful for every tear. I am grateful for the ability to feel, to love, and to be moved by other human beings, even when it hurts. I offer my tears to the waterfall of human experience with the hope that sharing my own story can contribute to someone else’s. Even if it simply means I am extending a hand to hold while they navigate the murky waters.