Crying For All the Right Reasons

My dog is an adorable seventy-five pound Goldendoodle named Ginger. She’s full of energy and love and my family adores her. Ginger cries every single day. Not because she’s sad or in pain, but rather because she is so freakin’ happy that she can’t help herself. Rarely does she cry for any reason but joy. Prior to some rather dramatic changes in my life, I mostly cried because I was sad or unhappy. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just not the way I wanted to live my life.

Pure joy was rarely in my wheelhouse. Mostly because I kept it at bay with my own feelings of unhappiness. I saw the negative everywhere I looked and thus was understandably miserable. My dog cries every day when her people come home. Every single day. She cries when my clients come in the house or when the UPS man is delivering a package or a food delivery. Ginger cries when my brother or my father comes in from out of town to visit. She’s beside herself with joy at these relatively normal events. Why is my dog so much wiser than I am? Why does she move on from upset so much quicker than I do and look for her joyful next walk or car ride?

Finding Our Cries of Joy

Maybe you think my dog isn’t so smart because she doesn’t see the negative. But maybe I’m not so smart, because I often do. I’m not talking about blind faith or forced insincere happiness. Rather, I’m talking about putting my worries away, looking for happiness, and then appreciating the hell out of it when I find it. Interestingly enough, it’s easier than I might have imagined and leads to more happiness and more outrageously joyful moments.

I cry a lot now, but it’s almost always out of pure gratitude and joy. My kids make me cry all the time. So does my husband, and of course my Ginger. Thinking about my brother and my sister-in-law, my nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles can put a lump in my throat, because having them in my life is so fantastic. My husband and I are grateful for all four of our parents and their health. I cry at commercials, the Olympics, sporting events, and beautiful music. Thinking about my friends and their support and guidance through the years brings another round of joyful tears.

I’m glad that I’ve cried tears of sadness and I know there will be more of that in my life. That sadness has allowed me to experience all emotions and to seek out the joyful ones. But tears of joy are truly the best. Ginger is a wise dog, as she understands that unabridged happiness is what life is all about. I’m not sure how my husband and children would react to my tears each time they walk in the door, but I’m considering trying it. Maybe I’ll practice on the UPS man.

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC