The Spice of Life

I think its safe to say I am a fairly 'emotional' person. Not as in I have emotions (because everyone has emotions) but in that I wear my heart on my sleeve and don't hide my emotions very often.

I have been self conscious about this throughout my life. It isn't really condoned in our 'pick-yourself-up-by- your-bootstraps society.' Even among females. It actually might be condoned less amongst females in that it is brushed off and attributed to her gender, hormones, PMS or general craziness. These could all be true, but that isn't really doing the reality of very present and real emotions justice.

I am an emotional person. And you know what? That shouldn't be a problem. I was born this way (no, I am NOT quoting Lady Gaga, although I do enjoy some of her music... I digress). I was born with a large palette of emotions within this heart of mine, and while often times it seems like those emotions come and attack me, they're not fake. And something that I've even had to continually remind myself of-- they're not because I'm crazy. I am crazy, I'm sure. But my raw and real emotions are not present because of that craziness.

And another truth about these emotions-- I am convinced that they can and do bless the Father's heart. I don't say that simply to condone my tendency to cry at weddings or baby showers, but because they were given to me by Him.

Whenever I start to get insecure about my tears that come without warning sometimes, I am reminded of those that came before. David-- the 'man after God's own heart' that has become one that we speak highly of, and that God spoke highly of, was also, highly emotional. Don't believe me?? Read through the Psalms. Its all there. Its like reading David's journal. In one psalm he is praising God and singing and dancing with the tambourine and the next he is speaking of how his enemies pursue him from every side. He cries out to God in anguish. And you know what?? It was all true. Those were real things that David was feeling and no one ever judges him for having those emotions.

So why do we judge people today for being 'emotional beings'? Yes, it may be subtle judgement, but its there nonetheless. Hear me out-- coming from someone that does cry more than my 8 year old cousin, please don't judge. I am not crazy. You are not crazy. The presence of emotions does NOT automatically denote 'craziness.' Crying is a release, it feels good to cry when I am overwhelmed and confused. Sometimes, you just need a good cry. Nothing wrong with that.

I was blessed by a friend who, when I told her that I was having an emotional day said this--
"I like that about you, people who don't have emotions aren't really living" I don't think I had ever heard someone say that before. But it blessed this heart.

So. There you have it. I am learning that variety really is the spice of life. I hope you agree. And I hope that although we're different, we can learn to not only accept, but also appreciate our differences.

Ta ta for now!