Wisdom from my grandma

When I was growing up my grandmother had many sayings that she repeated often. She was in my eyes, the wisest person I have known.

She would encourage me to be open to expressing my emotions when she said, “Laugh and cry live in the same house.” She meant that I should not be afraid to express my emotions because joy and laughter are both a part of being human. The face is the house which displays those emotions. She wanted me to be free to be human.

The other day, I made a mistake in a email I sent at work. The person replied very kindly suggesting that I made the mistake because I was tired. It occurred to me that I made the mistake — because I am human. Do not fear making mistakes or crying because of them. That is what makes us intrinsically human. Be free to be you, tears, laughter and all.