Reflections on a Genuine Human Emotion
Tears of joy are among the purest expressions of our deepest emotions. Unlike tears of pain, these arise when happiness overflows—when our hearts swell and our minds capture a memory destined to last. Such moments, which I call blessing moments, remind us of life’s goodness and our connection to others. Blessing moments stand apart because they touch something sacred within us. We feel the force of life, our own and others’, entwined in shared celebration. These instances remind us that joy, when deeply felt, unites us and marks the milestones of our journey.
My own tears of joy moments seem to be coming more frequently as I grow older. This morning as I sat in devotion and prayed, I opened my eyes to a view of sunrise and a pair of redbirds sat perched on the feeder that sits outside my window… I had a tear of joy moment then before I ever saw this question today… It’s as if God sends them to say Good Morning, making me feel the presence of the ones now gone I miss, and to reassure me that I am not alone.
I had tears of joy this past week as I sat and watched my son cuddle his new grandson so tiny and sweet, and the same tears swelled in my eyes as I held him myself. Joy felt deeply at the prospect of the future, of new life. I felt those tears of joy as I watched my great granddaughter come to me and pull up on my knee wanting to be picked up, laughing and chanting unintelligible words, making her funny face.
Those tears of joy come at unexpected times, they come from people who pass through my life at work and tell me they see and feel light and God in my voice. That I make laugh, or smile and, if for only a moment, our lives touch…
I have those tears of joy sometimes as I sit alone at night and look back on my day, remembering the past, remembering the people I have loved and lost who still reside in my heart and soul. I have them when I sit on the porch, when I walk about the acres and see the beauty that God made. I have them when I watch the sunset at times at the end of my day. The happiness of a day well lived, the hope of what is ahead, the anticipation of what is coming, what is next.
Tears of joy erupt unexpectedly, brought on by profound experiences that fill us with gratitude and wonder. In these moments, we feel not only our own happiness, but the collective energy of life surrounding us. Tears of joy help us release overwhelming feelings and make a memory lasting. They let those around us see our vulnerability and the depth of our experience, creating bonds of empathy and understanding.
Gratitude naturally follows tears of joy. These moments remind me that life’s greatest gifts are often fleeting, yet unforgettable. Tears of joy are a celebration of life at its most beautiful. They signal our openness to love, gratitude, and meaningful connection and are a reminder that true joy is always within reach when we allow ourselves to feel deeply… I hope today you find Your own joy and a tear escapes as you smile and feel the warmth of it all in your heart, your soul…
Dirt Road Therapy 
Leave a comment