Do you think crying is a sign of weakness or strength?

The act of crying has been defined as "a complex secret motor phenomenon characterized by the shedding of tears from the lacrimal apparatus, without any irritation of the ocular structures". A related medical term is lacrimation, which also refers to non-emotional shedding of tears.

My definition of crying would be: It is a reaction to a very emotional (in a negative and positive way) long-term situation or event, and to release the body from its tensions, we share tears. In many cultures it is accepted if children and women cry, but for men to cry is often considered as weakness.



http://racheldeeann.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/tears.jpg?w=604

To me personally and independent of gender, I think crying is a sign of strength, except for those who use tears for their own purposes. First of all, if one is able to cry, the person is brave enough to show his or her real emotions and for that one needs a high self-esteem. If one reaches that point and cry, no matter who is around, one knows who he is and do not mind what people think. The person puts his or her emotions first, then proud and shame second.

Everybody knows that after crying, in secret or in public, we feel released. The worlds looks a little bit different, we get calmer and are able to think fresh. We don’t have to turn our emotions into aggression or take it out on other people. Every tear clears the soul a little bit more and shows us who we are, so why would that be a sign of weakness? Crying is indeed a sign of inner strength…