Don't cry for me Argentina - Just Smile

There is nothing quite like a proper show of emotion.  Whether it is in the form of a hearty laugh or a decent cry, both have an effect of cleansing the soul and reminding us that we are vulnerable and emotional beings.  It is obviously not nice to laugh at someones demise or their hurt and certainly not to show a lack of sensitivity, but laughing with someone as opposed to laughing at them, can be truly spontaneous and refreshing.  It is a bit like a sneeze - there is little point in trying to hold it in when really it wants to come out as is. It used to make no sense to me, when I read articles that said that woman look for the quality in a man who is able to make them laugh and it seemed liked that was pretty arbitrary, but as I get older (and obviously wiser) it would seem that in fact this is a quality, sought after and one which counts for a lot in a relationship, because living with stress and worry, means that there needs to be an outlet and laughing becomes something that can truly shared and appreciated when all about seems to be closing in on us.  It is easy to loose the ability to burst forth with laughter and yet when you experience it, it really does open the soul and you feel alive.  In the same way, ironically, the opposite quality of crying seems to have a similar effect.  Early articles I read (and that means Men's Health again) used to talk about whether men should show their emotions by crying, or was it really only sissy's that cry.  Woman seem to be ambivalent as to whether their man should cry.  Yet crying, at an appropriate time and place, seems to be hugely beneficial to the soul and can also bring healing and rejuvenation to our lives.  Crying is after all just another form of emotion and a way of expressing feelings, not just of sadness, with which it used to be identified only, but also certainly of anger, frustration, and even joy.  It is truly human to be able to let out our emotions from time to time and to find expression in these opposite, but effective expressions of human emotion.  Those that can express themselves by tears or laughter seem better adjusted to dealing with whatever life has to give and to share these priceless moments may well be something, not to be scoffed at as cynics would do, but rather admired and cherished.