The sorrow which has no vent in tears may make other organs weep. ---Dr. Francis Braceland

More than  a few of us base our self-esteem on being tough! We pride ourselves on our strength and judge ourselves by an incredible standard of self-sufficiency. Never will we let anyone know that we're in need. Just as likely, we'll never admit it to ourselves, either.

    Yet self-esteem, as true humility, is not the denial of truth but the admission of reality. To be a whining crybaby is one thing. But to acknowledge our own pain, need, or hurt is quite another. "I must never show weakness" is a mandate that leads to disaster. It betrays an immature attitude that must be outgrown if our self-esteem is to grow.

    Denial of pain only drives the pain deeper. Commonly, repressed emotional hurt reveals itself in headaches, backaches, and stomach disorders. Perhaps the toughest people are those who have the courage to reach out for help when they need it-before their bodies cry out against the emotional turmoil that we were too "tough" to deal with.

WEAKNESS PARADING UNDER A BANNER OF STRENGTH CAN COST ME MY HEALTH