Emotional

One woman I visited with said she was on her way home to cry. As women our emotions tend to be very close to the surface. Life isn't always pretty. While we may try to find the good and positive in life, there are days when something happens or the burdens of life simply come crashing down. We generally express most of our emotions in the moment. Yet sadness, depression, despair, fear, and worry aren't as socially acceptable. We often feel forced to be alone in these moments. We curl up, hide, and cry it out.

Is this right? Is this fair? Who decided which emotions are approved for public display and which ones must never be seen? Do we have to follow these rules? Do we choose to? Why?

There may not be definitive answers. But I think only when we begin asking will we ever be free to be who we are - the good, the bad, and the ugly - without shame.

Our little girl is curious and empathic as she watches a woman in despair. How should she react? How should she feel? Has she felt this deeply yet? If this is part of being a woman, does she want to be?