Where Smiles Are Not for Sale

Most of us always want to feel happy that is why I see some people over here, even on social media, chasing after being happy as if they are praying to God to provide for their needs. And this is because the prices of things are ridiculously expensive, there are no jobs after school, and everyone looks stressed out because we are all trying to survive. There was a time I was not happy, and I said to myself, “I hope I can be happy always or at least get this happiness from somewhere.”

I know for sure that if happiness were something I could buy at the shop beside my house, I would comfortably buy it for myself, and I will even buy it for this church member of mine who lost his wife after her first child delivery last week. I will still get some for myself and keep them as extra just in case things feel heavy again.

Even though deep down in my heart, I know that money cannot always make me happy because I know there were times over here that I was using money to buy money during the cashless era, and I was so unhappy, and there was a point that being served some hot, freshly prepared beans with some plantain and bread really made me happy. No money was involved in that, It was just a good meal that gave me this inner peace. And that is the same type of happiness that cannot be sold.

And one thing that I am also certain of is that , let's even say it is feasible to buy happiness, I know for sure that someone somewhere still will not be fully happy deep inside. And I said this because there are some things that come with true happiness, and those things involve people understanding me deeply, feeling loved by those around me, and knowing that I matter to some people. You see, those things are top notch. And even laughing with my guys can bring that inner happiness that cash cannot buy me.

If at all I can purchase happiness, it will definitely be a one-time thing because what I am sure about is that happiness cannot be bought because those simple things, those memories shared, and the adorable people around me are what bring true happiness.

Thank you for reading.

_{Images created by Ai}