It’s a crying game

07 Apr It’s a crying game

Tears have happened a lot around me of late. Not sure what is up. I’ve been a walking snot bubble increasing the stock price of Kleenex I’m sure.

In class rooms, I’m watching people talk about what they really care about, and tear up. My son recently had to give blood and he cried like I have never seen. A dear friend teared up talking about the loss of his childhood dog. My best friend teared up when I teared up when I talked about how much I hated all the social conditioning I am still fall prey to even though I really would like to think I’m unique.

My son had to give blood to do some tests. His doctor warned me before the tests that a lot of parents shush their children for fear of the annoyance of others. She mentioned that there was a medicinal benefit from crying and to let and encourage Sebastian to cry.

So, I did some research.

It seems there are 3 types of tears. The stuff that keeps are eyes wet. (98% saline) The stuff that is reflexive from onions or dust. (98% saline) And THEN there is the emotional kind. The contents of emotional tears have more of the protein-based hormones like prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and leucine enkephalin (a natural painkiller).  (When I was a kid, a trip to the library and 7 reference books… today, 5 minutes and an ergonomic keyboard)

In my son’s case, his tears made the tests not hurt as much. Prolactin stimulates breast milk and is often high after sex. I’m not really sure how to tie that into my rampant desire to undo my social programming… but I’ll go with it.  Just keep reading, it didn’t make sense to me either I just like the idea of the word ‘breast’ in my blog.  Might hit some sensors though.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone releases Cortisol can increase blood sugar, certainly something that feels good.  Where am I going with this?

I like people more who can tear up.    There is something going on in the world where we are seeing it more often.  Real tears.  Real emotion.  Feeling stuff.  Is it the chemical high?  Are we realizing just how great it feels to let out some salt once in a while?

I’m on a new rant in my business world about labeling.  Humans take in a lot of information and to save time, we label things.  For years, crying was labeled as ‘something’ and it wasn’t always pretty.  Cry Baby, Vulnerable, Girl, Emotional etc etc.

Now, crying is absolutely, um, well,  sexy.

So… blubber you.   If you need some you tube clips that’ll onion you all up, just let me know.