15th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Smiling to Life

As human beings we have the tendency to have ambitions where we always want more and more until we feel satisfied with what we have whether materialistic items, love, friendships or work. The sad reality is that we are never completely satisfied with what is given to us. Many times we believe that money and material things are the essential things we need to be satisfied and happy. Money simply fills you with luxuries but does not fill you with peace or joy for a lifetime. For many people the term “happiness” has many meanings. For some, happiness is having the daily bread, family, work, or soccer. There is no fixed destination for happiness ... that destiny is achieved by you the moment you decide to be happy with what you have. In this image that I managed to capture during my stay in Mexico, it illustrates the Mexican culture. The humbleness of this woman who is happy selling vegetable and fruits in the market. That half smile illustrates that no matter how much money she earns at the end of the day, she is happy to have the ability to work humbly. Her happiness is defined in those wrinkles that shrink in her face knowing that she works hard to earn her daily bread. God still keeps her strong and strong so that she can go forward happy and happy with what God has given her throughout her life.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2016
Date Uploaded: 11.2017
Photo Location: Purepero, Mexico
Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T5i
Copyright: © Erica Perez