It's something that is often stereotyped as feminine. Something that can make someone seem overly sensitive or fragile. Something that is looked down upon as weak.

Crying

Often an involuntary reaction resulting from a stressful or emotional situation. But for all the stigmas that go along with crying, I will never see the action as weak. Here is why:

I was recently in a situation where I was disrespected and yelled at in a way that I deemed unfair. Unwillingly, tears started to stream down my face. Normally, the opposition might sympathize with such a reaction and see that their actions are making me uncomfortable before I can even register the hurt. But this was not so. Instead, I was told to stop it. Told to be quiet. Told that I "need to grow thicker skin."

Toughen up

But the thing is, I don't want to. If crying was my instinctual reaction to being disrespected then I don't ever want to lose that. Because if I did it means I would have become accustomed to being treated in such a way.

You see, it crossed my mind that maybe if was able to look that person in the eye, stone cold, that would better. Maybe if I did that I would appear stronger. But I've decided that's not what I want. I never want to get to the point where hurtful words no longer upset me and cause an overflow of tears. If I ever reach that point, it is then I will know that I have too much negativity in my life. So much so that such an instinctual reaction no longer occurs.

That is a place I never want to reach.

So, in fact, crying isn't weak it all. It shows just how strong you can be. Strong enough to walk away from negativity in your life. Strong enough to put your emotions out there, and be comfortable with what you feel.

Never let others tell you what you can and cannot feel. To cry is but only to be human.