I was watching a documentary on Netflix about Normans Rare Guitars in California. As a guitarist, this documentary is right up my alley and was a great watch but the guitars aren’t why I am writing this post. Midway through the film, Norman Harris (owner of the store) tells us a story of a terminally ill customer who was a big Ritchie Sambora fan and wanted Harris to give Ritchie a tape (I think of his playing or something like that). Harris calls up Sambora to tell him about this kid and Ritchie heads straight to the store, same day, to meet the kid and ultimately develops a friendship with him until he passes.
A Touching Story
While Norman and Samobora were telling their part of the story, they had to pause for a minute or two to compose themselves. Both uttered out an “I’m sorry” and “didn’t mean to get emotional” apologies to the cameramen and continued on. This is something that I see often, especially with men and I wonder why does it have to be like this? Why do we feel the need to apologize when we get a little misty or emotional? For men, we hold back because it is perceived as weak and for women, they are said to be too emotional.
Just let it out already
Honestly, I’m tired of this antiquated notion about showing emotion. We need not to be embarrassed to shed a tear, to show emotion. This doesn’t mean just lose your shit all the time but if you get moved and need a moment, don’t apologize. It’s bottled up in there and if you don’t let it out, it will come out possibly a different way; like anger.
Wear that vulnerability like a badge of honor.
Give yourself permission to feel unapologetically because its all part of being human.