However, it is important to find balance in our emotions. By forcing ourselves to tuck away our "unpleasant" emotions, we fail to address them, or even embrace them. Now, I don't mean that wallowing in misery, anger, guilt, etc. is a good solution; that can be as much of a problem as a fake smile.
Instead, we should allow ourselves to explore our emotions, discover their roots, and find their edges. In doing so, we learn more about ourselves, and in learning more we can better accept ourselves for who we are. Hopefully, with a better understanding of our emotions, we can put them to better use, rather than continually being taken hostage by them.
This is not a way to say that I'm particularly sad at the moment (although I am missing my family and friends who are not near enough to visit, especially my daughters, and especially as we approach the holidays). Rather, I read "The Raven" to my class today. Poe had intentionally crafted the poem to capture the essence of "melancholy" as he felt the emotion was an example of something being so beautiful it brings us to tears. Perhaps it was his understanding and ability to express such an otherwise avoided emotion that made Poe so popular throughout the years.
... That and the whole creepy, cousin-marrying, social reclusive, mysterious vibe he had going.