It’s funny how we human beings are.

We always need more. We don’t value what we have until we lose it. And we can spend our lives thinking we are miserable when deep down we are lucky.

Imagine

Imagine waking up one day and feeling at peace. Grateful for all the adversities you have faced. Because the bad times made you who you are. Imagine going to the bathroom, washing your face, looking in the mirror, and accepting yourself as you are. You don’t mind having a little belly; you even embrace your wrinkles and expression marks for what they are: medals from life’s war.

Imagine making breakfast, looking around, and being content with what you have, even if your house is small. Even if it is not where you imagined living as a child, imagine feeling protected under that roof. And that while you drink your coffee, outside it’s raining. You hear the rain and the traffic, but you are unhurriedly enjoying yourself. You don’t have the TV on, nor your Smartphone nearby. You’re not even in a hurry.

Imagine you are going to work and you are not angry. Imagine that there is no traffic and that you feel lucky when you get to the office (or wherever you work). Because that job helps you pay the bills, and even if you don’t have much money left over at the end of the month, you’re happy with your income.

Imagine coming home. And instead of sitting on the couch, you walk around the neighborhood. And you discover that you have superpowers and that every time you smile at someone as you walk, “someone” smiles back at you.

Imagine helping an older person cross the street. Imagine retrieving a lost ball and returning it to the kids playing soccer in the park. Imagine that an adorable dog barks at you, but you stroke its back, and it calms down. Imagine walking through your neighborhood and feeling part of something bigger—a world where humble people help each other instead of fighting.

Imagine coming home, taking a shower, reading a good book, and deciding to go to bed. Imagine you feel satisfied. You do not blame yourself for anything because there is nothing to blame yourself for.

Imagine that one day, you discover that despite not living in the house of your dreams, not having the job of your dreams, and not being in the city of your dreams, you are still happy.

Can you imagine that?

Can you?

Because making it happen is only up to you.

I know

I know that sometimes life is hard for you. The world is not all sunshine and rainbows. But everything is better with the right mindset.

I’m not talking about being positive. I’m talking about being realistic. We often make mountains out of molehills.

We often believe that our life is worse than it is. Marcus Aurelius said,

“It takes very little to have a happy life; it’s all within you, in your way of thinking.”

And he was right.

Many people throughout history have faced the worst possible scenarios and survived. Many people lost everything. They took it away. But they never let their smile be stolen.

Mandela was released from jail after being imprisoned for 27 years in subhuman conditions.

How can someone endure so much time locked up without going crazy and hating everyone?

I don’t know. But I think it has to do with something Mandela once said,

“When we let our light shine, we subconsciously permit others to do the same.”

Why don’t you let your light shine?

Why don’t you allow your good mood to illuminate the darkness around you?

Let me tell you a story.

As a child, when I asked my grandfather why he had no teeth, he always told me that they had fallen out from laughing so much.

When I was older, I asked him what his secret was. How can a person be positive despite having faced so many unfavorable situations?

My grandfather was born in 1927, lived through the Spanish Civil War, endured periods of famine, and had to raise his eight children.

And do you know what he answered me?

I had no time to lose.
I had no choice but to continue.
Fear was a luxury that I couldn’t hide behind.
Because at home, there were always mouths to feed.
Grandson, it was my turn to fight.
And after a lifetime of fighting.
When I see you smile,
I realize it was worth it

My grandfather

So today, I want you to smile, whatever your circumstances.

Because life is less dark because of the light of your smile.

A virtual hug

AG