"No diré no llores, porque no todas las lágrimas son un mal."

Sometimes, when we're hit with a wave of sadness, we try to hold back the tears. We think crying is a sign of weakness, something to be avoided at all costs. But imagine instead that tears are our body's way of helping us process emotions, a natural and necessary response to life's more painful moments.

J.R.R. Tolkien penned this idea in "The Lord of the Rings" as Gandalf speaks words of comfort to Sam. Contextually, it was a moment of deep sorrow and loss. Sam and Frodo had endured unimaginable trials, and through those trials, they had grown and changed. Tolkien, through Gandalf, acknowledges that tears are not inherently bad. In fact, they can be quite the opposite—they can be cathartic, healing, and ultimately human.

Think about it. When was the last time you cried? Not just a sniffle, but a good, hard cry? Maybe it was at the end of a long, tough week, when everything felt like it was crashing down. Perhaps it was during a poignant movie scene that hit a little too close to home. Those tears, far from being a sign of weakness, actually helped release some of that pent-up emotion. They cleared the cobwebs, so to speak.

Let’s say you’ve just lost someone close to you. The grief feels insurmountable, like a heavy weight on your chest. Your natural instinct might be to put on a brave face, to avoid breaking down in front of others. But what if, instead, you allowed yourself to cry? You’d probably find that those tears don’t just express your sadness—they also carry away some of that burden. They make the weight just a little bit lighter.

So how can we actually apply this wisdom in our everyday lives? First, give yourself permission to cry. Don’t bottle up your emotions because you think you need to be strong. Strength often lies in vulnerability. If you feel the tears coming, let them flow. Find a quiet space if you need to, but don’t hold back. It’s okay to let others see this side of you, too. Authenticity fosters deeper connections with friends and loved ones.

Imagine this scenario: You’ve just had one of the worst days at work. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and by the time you get home, you’re at your breaking point. Instead of numbing yourself with distractions—endless scrolling through social media or binge-watching TV shows—let yourself feel. Cry if you need to. Talk it out with a friend if you can. The release will be more beneficial than you might think.

Tolkien’s words remind us that tears aren’t something to fear or be ashamed of. They’re a natural part of the human experience, a way for our bodies and minds to heal. So the next time you feel that lump in your throat, don’t swallow it down. Let it out. You might just find that those tears bring a sense of peace and clarity you didn’t know you needed.