“The rain is nature’s tears of joy”-Michael Bassey Johnson, in Night of a Thousand Thoughts.

Michael Bassey’s words beautifully describe nature’s way of expressing happiness when it rains.

After a long spell of sweltering heat, the summer raindrops provide some of the happiest moments to all those who have suffered the sunbeams. We humans, animals, and nature alike wait for this relief. And with those first few drops of rain, tears of joy flowed relentlessly.

Indicators of Love and Happiness

Tears of joy are considered indicators of abundant love and happiness.

It was a defining moment that introduced me to the profound concept of tears of joy. The setting was the seismic hotspot of Kutch district in Gujarat, India, where earthquakes are not just occurrences but a regular part of life.

The entire Kutch district is known for being a very high-risk seismic zone, and earth quakes occur there regularly. People here have witnessed some of the worst earth quakes, which resulted in entire towns and cities being razed to the ground.

We were taught the precautionary steps to take whenever we experienced earth quake tremors in school.

A significant earthquake struck early in January during my primary school days in Kutch. The tremors rattled our school building, leading to an evacuation to a safer place. Given the chaos enveloping the entire town, we couldn’t return home immediately.

With my father on hospital duty, my mother and our neighbours had evacuated their homes and assembled on the streets. Alone at home, my mom anxiously awaited news about my safety. Communication lines were severed, and mobile technology did not exist then.

The quake’s intensity caused widespread disruption and destruction throughout the city. Our school authorities wisely kept us safe until the tremors subsided, arranging transportation to drop us home only when it was safe to return.

Upon reaching home, my parents stood by the gate, their worries etched on their faces. Spotting me alighting from the bus, my mom rushed toward me, enveloping me in a tight hug. Then, I felt her tears streaming down — tears of joy. She couldn’t contain the overwhelming surge of relief and happiness.

The Types of Tears of Joy and Happiness

Crying, often associated with sorrow, also positively affects our well-being, helping us manage emotions and maintain emotional balance. Researchers have identified four distinct types of positive tears:

Affectionate Tears: My mom’s tears, triggered by our embrace, fell into this category. These tears emerge from an unexpected rush of gratitude and warmth.

Achievement Tears: Tears of triumph accompany accomplishing something significant or overcoming an obstacle.

Beauty Tears: Triggered by profound beauty, such as captivating music or a mesmerizing natural scene.

Amusement Tears: Shed when uncontrollable laughter is prompted by something incredibly amusing.

As C.S. Lewis aptly stated, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”

Little did I know how intertwined joy and tears could become until a single moment etched its indelible mark on the canvas of my life.

Have you ever experienced a moment filled with joy that it spilt over into tears?