I saw a grown man cry in public...
A few days ago, I attended a community gathering in support of raising awareness of drilling permits being allowed for oil and gas drilling off the coast of Sydney. The speakers were full of passion and purpose and dedicated to giving back and protecting our natural environment, particularly the ocean. The main organiser had spent the last month holding these protests up the east coast of Australia and his commitment to the cause was palpable. After each speaker he would thank them and literally cry from the emotion felt through this shared cause and beautiful expressions of humanity. This show of emotion was raw and powerful and engaged every single person that was present that day and the authenticity and vulnerability that was so clear inspired all of us to aim for something higher in our lives.
The event culminated in everybody paddling out into the ocean and forming a circle, chanting and splashing to raise the energy levels and awareness even further. On the way to the beach, I overheard a young woman in answer to a question from her friend about if she was going to paddle out, she replied, “Are you kidding, I just saw a grown man cry, it was awesome, I’m out there”
And at that moment I thought, we need more of this, more of people deeply connected to their purpose and passion in life, willing to stand up for what they believe in and willing to show every aspect of themselves along the way. It was interesting also to note that each time the organiser became emotional he apologised for it, because it’s what we shouldn’t do in public right. Wrong! We need to do this more, no matter what the circumstances, especially men. Not the BS fake crocodile tears of some of our public servants and leaders of late, pretending to be authentic, staged in front of the press conference or social media platforms but the real everyday expression of each of us when we are so moved.
This can come in so many moments, I find myself catching myself and trying to control myself so that I am not seen to be crying, to be emotional or perceived as soft. I even did it on the day when I was so moved by the presenters, I automatically turned my face or wiped the tears from being so affected by the presenters but as the organiser allowed himself to express his emotions, I felt compelled to express mine and in doing so I connected with many people on that day, I showed a part of myself that I hide and it felt incredibly freeing.