I will never forget the first time I saw my dad cry. I was nine years old, and my great-uncle passed away. Here the strongest man I knew, the rock of my life, sat in his chair, staring out the window as tears trickled from his eyes.
It never crossed my mind that he was weak at that moment. I was observing the love he had for his uncle running down his face.
Thirty years of standing behind the chair as a stylist and living out some challenging moments in my life, I feel, has given me wisdom. I do not have a counseling degree. Nevertheless, I find myself speaking into my clients’ lives.
The other day I had a client sitting in my chair, and as we visited about the struggles she was facing, she paused. 
Looked back at me and said, “I feel so weak because I cry so much.” Understanding that when we are facing hardship in our life, we can shed many tears. We can also feel weak from what we are facing. She continues telling me about her struggles and how they affected her and her family.
Listening to her speak of the weakness she felt because she was shedding so many tears made me ponder how many other souls feel weak due to their tears. How many broken hearts are beating themselves up because of the tears?
Many circumstances can cause tears to build and eventually stream down our faces. They can be joy-filled, full of anger, or consuming sadness. In each of these, when we experience them, it is not a sign of weakness; it is a release of our feelings—providing healing in our situation and showing honor.
Although it may not feel that way at the moment, recognize that it is a powerful statement of what you are encountering.
Being weak because you cry… THAT IS NOT TRUTH!
Through our tears comes strength! Shows love! Tells the story of a lost loved one! Represents heartache and TRIUMPH!
Each tear is created with meaning. Tears become sacred when we face the loss of our husband, the soulmate we were madly in love with, our best friend.
When I lost my husband, man, did the tears flow. I honestly thought I would cry every day for the rest of my life. Just when it appeared, they had dried up; the floodgate was thrown open. Years have gone by, and I still have moments the tears seep from my eyes. Cherishing these moments, acknowledging the love for my husband that I hold close to my heart.
Never allow anyone, not even yourself, to say tears are a sign of weakness!
Through this season, you need to find those who will support you. That will stand next to you with comfort. When tears are flooding your face, they will say, “I see strength!”
Grateful for that day as a nine-year-old girl seeing her daddy cry, showing me that through our sadness and tears, STRENGTH SHINES.
Love and Blessings
About Jacki Corta
Jacki Corta is a motivational speaker, intuitive life, and grief coach along with the founder and CEO of Strength > Struggle™. The brand she discovered after traveling the journey of cancer with her husband. She started the Strength>Struggle™ crusade, helping others find their inner strength during some of the scariest times. In 2014, her husband, Douglas was diagnosed with Glioblastoma brain cancer and 20 months later passed away, giving Jacki a new title… Widow. It is Jacki’s mission to share her story with the world and how it can positively impact others in whatever they may face. It is a story of unexplainable strength in life’s most challenging storms, overcoming adversity and finding hope while traveling the difficult path her life took.
It is her ability to communicate and willingness to be vulnerable that connects with her clients and audiences. Jacki believes her purpose here is to impact as many souls as possible showing them that through even the darkest days there is a glimpse of light to grab onto for them to find their strength. Jacki will empower, challenge, and give you a new outlook on your own story.
She is a mother of three adult girls and a Mimi to two beautiful granddaughters. You can follow more of her story and inspiration on Instagram @jackicorta or listen to her podcast Jacki Has a Voice on Spotify.