Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

March 26, 2018

“Even the strongest and bravest must sometimes weep.  It shows they have a great heart, one that can feel compassion for others.” –Brian Jacques

“Boys don’t cry.”  “Real men don’t cry.”  These expectations of masculinity have been unhelpful and even harmful because they imply that masculinity is defined by not feeling.  On the contrary, a real man feels fear and pain and faces difficult, frightening, overwhelming, and sad situations anyway.  A real men feels empathy and compassion and supports others while taking responsibility for his part.  A real man does not stuff his emotions and ignore his heart.  A real man has a real heart and acts in concert with it.

When have I stuffed or ignored my emotions?  Why do I avoid my emotions?  What has my heart been trying to tell me? What gifts await me as I open myself to my emotional experiences?