What are you crying about?
As a father of 4 little kids (Thank G-d), I don’t get tremendously fazed by noise, crying or tears.
I’ve come to learn that kids crying usually calls for a hug, some reassurance or a band aid. Sometimes however, there are tears and tantrums which call for a more ‘hands off’ approach (that’s PC for ‘ignore’).
I am intrigued though, by what can bring an adult to tears.
A few days ago, a friend forwarded me a (TED Talk) video lecture presented by a superb medical expert on health related topics that concern many American’s today, like diabetes and obesity.
The surgeon presented a smart and compelling talk, and towards the end – he started to choke up and cry. My knee jerk reaction was: “Why is this guy crying over blood sugar? How did he go from ‘all science’ to sob?”
But then it dawned on me pretty fast: Here’s a guy, who is so deeply and emotionally invested in his career and life’s mission, that it doesn’t just make him tick – it makes him cry!
It got me thinking: What am I so passionate about in my own life that can move me to tears? I think crying is awesome, especially in today’s digitalized age, where we are so easily desensitized. I’m not suggesting that all adult tears are sincere, but you do kind of get a sense when they are.
Seeing someone get emotional about a topic that is so meaningful to them is truly inspiring. It’s a ‘realness’ indicator. Tears reflect an innerness and passion that define the real core of who a person is, and what they live for.
We may even say: “You are what you cry for.”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky