My daughter and I, as empaths, have shared moments over a sad netflix movie as we just cry together. My wife, Kristal, looks at us like, "Have you gone mad?"

Sometimes, I just need a good cry...

I cannot explain it, but maybe science can.

From health.harvard.edu:

• "Not all tears are created equal. Scientists divide the liquid product of crying into three distinct categories: reflex tears, continuous tears, and emotional tears. The first two categories perform the important function of removing debris such as smoke and dust from our eyes, and lubricating our eyes to help protect them from infection. Their content is 98% water.It’s the third category, emotional tears (which flush stress hormones and other toxins out of our system), that potentially offers the most health benefits. Researchers have established that crying releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, also known as endorphins. These feel-good chemicals help ease both physical and emotional pain. Popular culture, for its part, has always known the value of a good cry as a way to feel better — and maybe even to experience physical pleasure. The millions of people who watched classic tearjerker films such as West Side Story or Titanic (among others) will likely attest to that fact."

I have literally cried this week as I thought about circumstances in my life and career that were painful and sad. When I was done shedding the tears, I felt clean of my burden... Like my eyes were now clear to see, even though blurred by the reservoir of feelings that still could flood out of my heart.  I now feel released of the burden of the emotional bondage, though more attached to the emotion that caused the flood gates to open.

Sometimes I just need a good cry...

While I cant argue with science, nor can I explain the reasons behind our emotional attachment to other human beings, I know what I feel.  My tears represent the connection that we all feel together. My tears tap into our soul. As I cry with my friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances, I connect to them with an attachment that no one can break.

As you are grieving, a few shed tears cannot free you. The tears will come often and unexpected... often, unrelenting. Don't hold them in!  I often tell my clients, "you have a 'get out of jail free' card. You are allowed emotional outbursts with the simple explanation that your have suffered a loss."

While you don't hold a splinter in your finger, you shouldn't hold back your tears. Tears purge your soul and help you move forward... Not move on... Just to live, and love, and grow.

Sometimes I just need a good cry...