Through the air vents, I heard sounds like Dory talking to the whale in the “Finding Nemo” movie.

What was going on downstairs?

A gaggle of girls were watching a movie. Nothing was out of the ordinary, except for that strange sound. I followed it to a bathroom where I witnessed the most brilliant display of sobbing and gut-busting laughter rolled into one.

They were needing to wipe their tears but were hysterical as they watched each other. The ugly tears were falling—you know the ones. The movie that just ended was the saddest thing they’d ever seen.

Sometimes, it’s a movie. Other times, it’s real life. When those ugly tears start rolling, they just. won’t. stop. We have to let them take their course until we are certain not a drop of water is left to give. We quiver, hiccup, and even drool a little (or a lot) in the process. It isn’t pretty.

However, after these moments, peace flows through us. A release and a quiet clarity overcome us. Think of a toddler wailing, only to immediately doze into a much-deserved nap. I have looked at myself after one of those spells and saw more raw beauty in my reflection than I recognized.

“People cry not because they are weak. It’s because they’ve been strong for too long,” said actor, Johnny Depp. I resonate with that.

Sometimes, whether we are young or old, we need a good cry. “The word happiness would lose its meaning if it weren’t balanced by sadness,” states Carl Jung, the founder of analytical psychology.

So for the goodness of our health and well-being, I bring you this.

The Gray Day Playlist: Bring on the Tears.

“Nothing Compares 2U” by Sinéad O’Connor:
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“Someone like You” by Adele:
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“Skinny Love” by Bon Iver:
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“Hurt” by Johnny Cash:

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“Home Soon” by Paul Kimbriris, Boulder artist and friend of Elephant Journal.

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“Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley:
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Lastly, to turn our sad tears into those of gratitude…

“All I Want” by Kodaline:

Whether these tunes did the trick or not, I hope the message resonates. Skipping sadness and holding back tears keeps us steps away from the happiness we all desire.

“We need never be ashamed of our tears.” ~ Charles Dickens

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Have a story about tears or songs to share about sadness? We’d love to hear them.

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Copy Editor: Callie R