I Don't Think That Crying Is A Sign Of Weakness

O la, Rick,
You seek out these great articles to make not only your life better, but to help you be a better counsellor, as you are sort of a "father confessor" to many garçons like myself.
So often, as I was tryna survive the abuse of my family, yet my own Da would smack me in the mouth, and say, "shut-up before I really give you something to cry about," I could only cry in secret, like hiding in my closet, so they'd be unlikely to sneak up, and catch me.

Until recently I never knew what love was, because any time I heard those words they would be followed up with a smack in the mouth.
It wasn't until I was on tour with the opera, and like all kids who are performing professionally, was under the care of a baby wrangler, that I began to understand what real love was like.
I was beset with anxiety attacks, and instead of smacking me cross the mouth and shaming me, my baby wrangler/ bodyguard would comfort me, and try to help me. That was new.

I don't know that anyone in my immediate family knows what love is, either. They know what POWER is. They know how to pry secrets from those they don't mind hitting, and that includes family. Or perhaps [i]especially[/i] family. I don't think that family means the same thing, to them, that it means to Americans.

The use of torture is still a popular method of extracting information they think they already know, not that they would admit it.
I am living proof that torture does not pry out the truth. Rather, it pries out the answer they want to hear. People will say whatever the torturer wants, just to make the pain stop.

As a result, I cry a lot, and always feel shame for doing so. I cannot help it. I think I'm getting better, and I appreciate your help, mon grand frère. Thank you.
It's hard to get over what amounts to training in self loathing.

One's family has great influence over a child's development, and when one's family constantly tells the child he is worthless, bad and wrong, it is very hard to get over that.
It's not just me, I am tryna use my experiences and knowledge to help another boy who is BRILLIANT, but because his 14 siblings, and parents, are not nearly as bright, they have tried to destroy him. He has a tough time even wanting to live, much less thrive.

As a boy in a children's hospital, for almost the last three years, and having gone from over 50 pounds to under 30 pounds because of my illness, I too have struggled with whether its worth it to try to stay alive, knowing that if I do make it through this, I still have to deal with my family, which wants me to go into the government, and work for my brother as councillor. They want me to keep him from doing anything stupid.
One may ask, why let Him have that kind of power? Why not lock HIM in the bunker, where he cannot hurt anyone, and let someone who can think for himself, and is not a sociopath, take the reins?

O right, I forgot the single most important rule: HE is the firstborn, that all-important birthright thingummy, and he will be easiest to control, to be a puppet, even if he is a monster puppet.
Plus, he has no genetic defect, and is publicly presentable; He can maintain the image of the invincible giant, where another could not.

Sorry. I learnt an abbreviation recently that is TMI, meaning Too Much Information.
I make one's eyes glaze over, and will possibly lose my internet privileges for spilling too much.

Idk, I am feeling very reckless and rebellious, possibly because of the meds they give me. Idk why, but I feel like I don't care what happens.
I should stop. Not because of what can happen to me, but I have committed to a VERY bright garçon to get better, so I can help him learn to be the best anyone has ever seen, and I believe he has that potential.

I apologise for bending your ear mon grand frère. This world has about seven years, eight tops, before it all comes tumbling down.

Au revoir, mon frère,

Pubèr Ü👦Ü

Indeed shame should not be connected with crying.

It's quite refreshing hearing this coming from a guy. :)

I know men in general are often told to bottle up their feelings and that showing emotion is a sign of weakness, leading to a high suicide rate at the end, and lots of emotional problems that could have been easily avoided. So it's pretty awesome that maybe we're starting to break free from all those dumb societal norms and just allow oursevles to feel what is already natural in us.

Your right bro 100% I cry a lot about what the teens have to go through.

Had friends growing up whose father was a complete nut and deemed crying for many things not only weak but sinful and punishable. I always felt it was wrong, and felt bad for them crying doesn't equal weakness at all. I agree crying is a good thing.

I cry...I use to try to be strong...but I am only crying... because I have been strong for a long time and the valve needs to be released

This is a beautiful post : 3