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16 September 2026
There is a life we show the world.
And there is another life that nobody sees.
The photograph may show the smile, but not the difficult morning before it.
The achievement may be announced, but not the years of uncertainty that came before it.
A family photograph may look perfect, while somewhere outside the frame there may be a worry that nobody wants to discuss.
We have become very good at displaying moments.
But life is not made only of displayable moments.
Some of our most important victories happen quietly.
Getting out of bed on a difficult day.
Forgiving someone without making an announcement.
Starting again after something has failed.
Sitting beside someone who needs company without knowing what to say.
These things rarely receive applause.
They may not even be noticed.
But they count.
Perhaps we should be kinder when we look at other people’s lives—and kinder when we look at our own.
Nobody carries a completely uncomplicated story.
Every face has a chapter we cannot see.
And perhaps that is why a little understanding can sometimes mean more than a great deal of advice.
Rajat Chandra Sarmah
Guwahati, Assam, India
Instagram @rajatchandrasarmah5
YouTube: conversewithasmile
Email: rajatchandrasarmah@gmail.com
