Over the past year, I (Vinny) have been asked in different ways if I’m always happy. This has made me ask myself, why? This question of whether I’m always happy has made me wonder if it seems as if I’m putting on a front; if people think that who they see isn’t the real me.
Well, I can tell you I hurt; I feel just as deeply as anybody. That doesn’t mean the man you see with the unwavering smile is some fraud.
That person is one of faith. The smile isn’t fake — yet it’s for you, and it’s for me too — to remind me how good this life can be, that nothing’s so important, so dark, so painful, as to take away my faith. I have an unwavering faith in the beauty of life.
It takes courage to have faith.
It takes courage, knowing well that life is damn well difficult, to be joyful despite that. I have an undying faith, because even though things may be tough right now, there is always a light ahead if we just keep moving.
It’s so much easier to give up.
To say it’s all for nothing and succumb.
I’m a human being, and I hurt as much as anybody. This doesn't mean we can't feel low. Of course we can, and should allow ourselves to feel those negative emotions, too. But we decide how we'll face life, each and every day.
At times I want to give up. But I can’t. Neither can you.
Be courageous. Have faith.
So no, I’m not happy all the time. Still, I choose to face life with a smile.
