A Smile Against the Weight of Life
The image of an elderly woman, dressed in colorful clothes, delighting in the midst of a flock of pigeons is a pure portrayal of freedom. She smiles, light and carefree, as if, in that moment, the entire world had shrunk to the simple pleasure of being. Around her, the pigeons fly freely, indifferent, and in a way, she flies with them, unbound, fully immersed in that brief moment of happiness.
Happiness, like freedom, is a strange feeling. It appears unexpectedly, interrupting the continuous flow of anguish that so often settles comfortably within us. For many, the freedom to be happy is terrifying. Because, to be happy, one must let go of worries, loosen the reins that hold us to the predictability of life. And for those accustomed to the safety of anguish, that can feel almost unbearable.
But there, in the smile of this woman, there is no fear. There is acceptance of uncertainty, surrender to the present. She knows that happiness is fleeting, that it doesn’t last long, and that perhaps, like the pigeons, it will soon disappear. Yet, in that brief moment, she has found something that is worth more than any lingering anguish: the freedom to feel alive. And that is what makes happiness worth the effort. As brief as it may be, as momentary as it often is, those flashes of happiness are what give us the strength to keep going.
It’s true, as many poets and philosophers have said, that happiness isn’t constant. It demands sacrifice, courage, and sometimes it feels impossible to reach. But even in its uncertainty, the mere possibility of happiness is enough to fuel hope. As Ecclesiastes reminds us, the alternative is only vanity and vexation of spirit. Happiness, fleeting as it may be, is a reason to seek more out of life.
In that woman, surrounded by pigeons, dressed in vibrant colors, we see the proof that happiness exists, even if only for a moment. And if we have to pretend, then so be it. Because, in the end, pretending to be happy is also a way of wanting it, of bringing it closer. And who knows, maybe that forced smile will turn into something real?
So, smile. Keep moving forward, even knowing that happiness is uncertain. Because when it comes, even for a brief moment, it’s enough to set us free from everything that weighs us down.
