I have fallen into the traps of stifling emotions. Thinking they were weaknesses, showing them would some how make less than. As I have aged, I have found that all that time stuffing emotions down was time spent not living life to to fullest. As a man, we are told and fed the line that tears are weakness, but I have found that tears and emotions are strength. To be able to cry when I am happy, sad or disappointed provides me with a more wholistic experience in life. Make me a better person. Also, sadly, makes me aware of all the good stuff I missed along the way shoving those emotions down.