Expressions of our feelings reveal to others, and sometimes to ourselves, the sacred process of emotion that rolls through each one of us. Yelling, crying, laughing, yawning, frowning, sighing, smiling — any and all of these can be a beautiful movement of energy through our nervous system. What helps you build safety in community to express your feelings?
[image description: A larger crying heart that is using crutches and wears a brace on its right leg stands facing a smaller crying heart with one wild braid of red hair who is looking back at the bigger heart. Together, the hearts say to each other, "Your tears are beautiful." Text reads: "18 OCTOBER 2020"]
Throughout the pandemic, I have posted messages on my Facebook wall that I needed to hear myself or that I imagined others may be needing to hear. Again and again, these messages spurred collective online processing of a range of challenges and lows and bright spots of living through the pandemic. This series of cartoons is intended to reflect on and illustrate some of the process of dealing with life by leaning into the intersection of technology and community. |
[image description: Screenshot of a Facebook status that reads: "Your tears are beautiful." A comment responds: "Thank you." The comment includes a drawing of a sad face crying heart-shaped tears.]