November 24: You Look So Much Better When You Smile

Glee greetings, dear reader!

I hope this musing finds you in good health and spirits. Let’s talk about a quote that has inspired me a lot. It is from an unknown source, but it resonates with me deeply. Here it is:

“Nothing is more beautiful than a real SMILE that has struggled through TEARS.”

Happiness is not something that comes easily or cheaply. It is something that we have to fight for, sometimes against all odds. It is something that we have to earn, sometimes through pain and suffering. It is something that we have to cherish, sometimes despite the challenges and difficulties.

But when we do smile after going through the tears, it is the most beautiful thing in the world. It is a sign of our strength, our resilience, our courage, and our hope. It is a sign of our humanity, our compassion, our gratitude, and our joy. It is a sign of our victory, our triumph, our glory, and our grace.

I know that you may have faced or are facing hardships in your life and have been abused, neglected, rejected, oppressed, or exploited. You may have been hurt in the past or are still hurting presently, betrayed by trusted friends and partners, greatly disappointed, bereaved, depressed, or suicidal. But I also know that you are not alone. You can still find joy after your sorrows are done bragging through the night.

So, I urge you to smile, even if it is hard, even if it is rare, or even if it is brief.

Smile, because you are beautiful, because you are worthy, and because you are alive.

Smile, because you have survived, because you have overcome, and because you have grown.

Smile, because you have a story to tell, a message to share, and a legacy to leave.

Smile because you look so much better when you do! 😊 Smile nau 🙃 Ehen! Look how beautifully your smile lit up the atmosphere!

I have a poem for you. It is titled “Laugh. Love. Live”, and it is from my latest collection, “30,” which you can get here. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope it makes you smile.

—

LAUGH. LOVE. LIVE.

hinged on the above-mentioned trinity

is the beauty of life

or so they say

mayhap, they lied

or could it be i misheard?

this life– mine– is just an existence

snail-crawling uphill on bleeding knees

rarely do i laugh

i don’t get the joke that i’ve become

scarcely does love last

only sweet wiles. alluring guiles. failed trials

barely do i live

everything i touch surely dies

regardless, i

laugh. love. live.

because i should.

—

That’s all for today. I hope you liked this newsletter, and I hope you will share it with your friends and family. I also hope you will leave me a comment, feedback, or suggestion. I would love to hear from you—it makes me smile— and I would love to learn from you.

Until next time, stay safe, stay healthy, stay happy, and stay smiling!

With ❤️

Jaachị Anyatọnwụ

Have writing, web & graphic design needs? I can help you meet them. Visit my portfolio below to peruse my works. https://jaachiwrites.com/jaachis-portfolio/