Mercy came knocking once, a pale wanderer draped in dawn, with weary eyes and gentle hands, carrying no sword, only the burden of understanding. But the wicked knew not her face. Their hearts were citadels of stone, where compassion died unnamed and every wound became a weapon. They barred the gates. For mercy is a stranger in the hearts of the wicked. She walks their halls unseen, a ghost among shadows, whispering of forgiveness to ears that worship vengeance. They drink from poisoned wells and call bitterness wisdom. They sharpen grief into blades and wear cruelty like a crown. Where mercy offers a bridge, they build a wall. Where mercy kneels, they strike. And so she leaves quietly, taking her light with her, while darkness settles deeper into chambers already cold. The wicked do not fear mercy, they fear what mercy reveals: that beneath their iron masks, beneath their kingdoms of pride, beneath the ruins they call strength, there lives a trembling truth they dare not face. For merc...
Happiness isn’t a life without trouble.
It isn’t waking up every morning with a perfect heart
or walking a smooth road without stumbling.
Sometimes, happiness is much smaller than that.
Sometimes, it’s just having enough strength
to get out of bed after a hard night.
Sometimes, it’s the deep breath you take
before facing another difficult day.
Life can be rough.
Dreams fall apart, people leave,
and some days feel heavier than words can explain.
But even on those roads,
happiness still finds a way to exist.
It lives in little things,
a warm smile from a stranger,
a laugh that escapes when you least expect it,
the comfort of someone saying, “I’m here.”
Happiness is not pretending everything is okay.
It’s learning how to carry pain
without letting it harden your heart.
It’s crying at night
and still choosing to hope in the morning.
The truth is,
the rough roads teach us how to notice beauty.
They teach us to value peace,
to hold love tighter,
and to appreciate the tiny flowers
growing through the cracks.
So maybe happiness is not a destination after all.
Maybe it’s simply this:
continuing the journey,
even with tired feet,
and still finding reasons
to smile along the way.
© 2026 Gloria Penelope
Comments