Sobbing in Seattle

After a big cry a few minutes ago watching the end of Eagle Eye, I noticed something I hadn't ever noticed before.  My abdominal muscles.  After years of collegiate drinking in excess, I am overly experienced in throwing up all of the alcohol I thought I could handle.  And you all know how much your stomach clenches when you're making friends with the toilet.  Your abs tighten, your throat straightens; it was this same musculature that I encountered during my Shia Lebouf inspired cry.  Thanks Shia.

Tears are your body's mechanism for purging itself of the toxic buildup of emotions.  Like your belly does with every bad dish of seafood, your eye ducts are your body's vessel for expunging our stressful existence. So expunge away!

I know I'm asking a tall favor.  Moderating your emotional level is a bit like asking a freshman male rushing a fraternity to decline a drink.  "But, they'll make fun of me!" "I'll never be popular."  "I'll be outcasted."  I won't tell you that all of this won't happen, it probably will.  What will also happen though, is a couple of quiet bystanders, will feel a small movement in their heart.  They see a role model, someone willing to be brave, like Shia Lebouf.  (Terrible time to jump back to that, i know.  The movie was cheesier than lasagna.)  Aaaand, the bystanders remember that.  Maybe they won't be brave for years to come, but somewhere down the line, that bystander will think back and choose differently, choose bravely.  I invite you to risk embarrassment, heckling, isolation, all in the sake of doing that which your body deep knows is good.  While you may be alone for a little while, you've created the space to be surrounded by much more beautiful and amazing human beings.

And who knows, maybe that badass bitch in the corner who knows what's up with this motherfucking powerful self growth work will see you being brave and take you home instead of some frat guy.

Or maybe, she's not at this particular party...But you'll never know unless you do it. ;)

Update:  I received feedback from one of my dear friends on this blog.  They wrote:

"Oh, and just the other day I mentioned you to a friend- you're the guy that gives me courage to share my life on the margin when you are the one moving mountains and uncovering truth."

I started crying again.  Still getting teary now writing this.  I am so grateful to have you in my life.  I am humbled.



*Random side note for a Target employee I had an interaction with who is reading this.  The bigger loofa feels better and is nice to hold.  The smaller loofas are more portable for travel.