Clowns often paint a tear on their faces, yet we laugh at their silliness and jokes. It’s all part of the show we pay for.
The life and tragic death of the actor Robin Williams got me thinking about how we often mistake and misinterpret the experiences and feelings of the people around us. We take their light-heartedness and jokes to mean that they are happy.
Yet, beneath the masks of jokes, silliness and smiles many people are struggling to cope with the challenges in their lives. This is of course not true for everyone, and many people smile and joke because they are sincerely happy.
The point remains though, we shouldn’t underestimate the fact that all of us have a story and struggle. We should be gentle with people around us, and be careful not to make assumptions about the terrain and distance of their journey.
