The lady who sells us dry fruits has a unique smile on her face. She looks so positive. The positive conversation, joke gives a feeling she is on top of the world. Our usual conversation when am I getting married or why I was not in her shop for a long time. She looked at my friend and asked if he is in any pain and he accepted being sleep deprived.
I asked her about this secret of her smile, she opened up. That is when I got to know more about her. She has not been paid for a month. Her husband is in a hospital and recovering from an operation. The festival season she gets no leave so someone else has to take care of him during work hours.
She told me that this is the best option she has for life, other than taking the situation head-on and not to sulk in miseries.
This reminded me of Murakami: pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. What options do we have? We know this life is not easy for us all. But living miserably, in guilt and remorse is on us. Or we can fight it head-on with a broad smile and live to our best.