do you believe in "tears of joy"?

Mick's Mix

Here’s a poem I wrote a long time ago:

           another thing explained

          I'm of the belief

          that tears of joy

          don't exist.

          All tears are born of sorrow.

          If we cry during happy times

          It's because

          we accept that life

          cannot always

          be this good.

I may or may not still stand by this perspective but it doesn’t really matter. Everyone reading this can relate to those moments when you’re driven to tears despite experiencing palpable joy.

Why does this happen? Here are a few guesses…

• Grief: We’re grieving someone or something (youth, innocence, potential, etc.) we’d love to have there with us as we enjoy an experience.

• Imperfection: Life is imperfect so our minds may set unrealistic expectations and then drift into thoughts about how things could be better.

• Exhaustion: Even positive moments and accomplishments can be draining to achieve, leaving us emotionally and physically exhausted and thus, more vulnerable to sadness.

• Negative thoughts: At a happy event, we may encounter someone with whom we have a conflict.

• Negative memories: Even as we cheer for someone else, we ponder how many things didn’t work out as planned for us.

• Passage of time: This is what I was getting at with my old poem. It’s a paradoxical blend of mindfulness and nostalgia — wistfully “recalling” a wonderful moment while it happens.

Whatever you may perceive as the cause of humanity’s countless self-inflicted wounds, if only we could agree on the remedy.

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In the meme-time…

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In closing: Do not conform to the patterns of Substack...

As we progress through the month of March, you may witness more changes on this Substack — possibly related to posting frequency.

But no matter how often I do or don’t share my thoughts here, I am always hard at work with my street mission and I need your assistance.

Please check out the information below to learn how you can help and make no mistake, your support is always needed.

I don’t know how many of you have donated and/or shared the links, but…

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I’M NOW ACCEPTING DONATIONS VIA CASH, CHECK, AND SNAIL MAIL…

Friends, I could use your support for my ongoing mission of 8-plus years to help homeless women and other vulnerable souls on the streets of NYC. Here’s how:

First option: To avoid any extra fees, digital tracking, or corporate involvement, I’d love for you to send cash or checks (payable to Michael Zezima) to:

Mickey Z.

PO Box 9028

Astoria, NY 11103

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Also, you can:

• Donate at GoFundMe

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• Order items from my wishlist

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Thank you in advance!