When I drew this cartoon several years ago, I knew whether I was a stuffer or a gusher. It is a reminder to me there is a downside to always being positive, even when we suffer hardship.
What are stuffers and gushers?
- A stuffer doesn’t express their emotions
- They may think it isn’t socially acceptable
- She may be embarrassed by their emotions
- He may have been punished for being angry or having a fit
- It may even be part of their personality
- So they stuff emotions until they can’t hold it in anymore
- Gushers freely express themselves
- He may easily cry
- She may be expressive and love to act out
- They may have been encouraged in the past to let it all out
- So they let everyone know how they are feeling
I admire gushers. However, I admit to being a stuffer. Frequently, stuffers marry gushers. I have and it’s been a good thing for me. Because of this, my wife has been there when I’ve had a hard time expressing emotions. Therefore, I have rarely had to play the guessing game of What-is-she-thinking-this-time? She could very well have uttered the phrase the girl in my cartoon says.
Most of my blog posts have a positive tone to them. But I realize not every situation calls for positivity. There are times when denying our emotions can be harmful.
Therefore, we need to acknowledge our emotions. Not all of our days are going to be sunny with roses and unicorns. We need to balance our reality with positivity. Yes, we’re going to have challenging times. There is a time and place for everything.
“For everything, there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven…A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance…A time to embrace and a time to turn away.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4–5 (NLT)
In conclusion, we need to acknowledge and express our emotions when it’s appropriate. It will keep us from stuffing it until we have to let our emotions out in inopportune times. It can also help us stay positive while acknowledging the reality of our circumstances.
