Thursday, July 23, 2026

Behind Every Smile

Every smile has a story. Choose kindness, because you never know what someone is carrying.

By Karyna Chudesnykova, Business Analyst

A smile can mean many things. It can mean kindness, confidence, professionalism, or happiness.

But sometimes, it simply means someone is doing their best.

We often assume we know how someone is doing based on the face they show us. A smile can make us believe everything is okay, when we rarely know what someone is carrying behind it.

Last year I had the opportunity to help a CLAC member from Ukraine navigate his journey toward permanent residency and a stable job with CLAC.

What stayed with me the most is his perspective on life. He lives in Regina, Saskatchewan, which he described as “heaven on earth.”

I laughed because I thought he was making a joke, but he wasn’t. To him, the safety he gained there wasn’t something to take for granted. Being able to go to sleep without worry, to have an opportunity to build a stable future—those things are worth celebrating.

That made me reflect on my own life. My entire family still lives in Ukraine.

I can’t even imagine how they feel on a daily basis, but I constantly worry about them. I constantly check the news and reach out to family every day. I carry that fear, that heavy weight, and just hope everything will be fine. I also became good at hiding my anxiety. I smile, I go to work, I help others. Not because nothing is happening, but because life keeps moving.

I know I’m not alone in this.

Many people, regardless of background, are navigating bad things others might not know about. Family struggles, loss, grief, health concerns, financial pressures, or uncertainty. Yet every day, I see them showing up and doing the best they can.

That reminds me that kindness is often more important than we realize. A genuine conversation, a friendly smile, taking a moment to quick check in and really listen.

These moments matter. It helps to get that weight off for just a minute.

So the next time someone smiles at you, smile back. Not because you know their story, but because you don’t.

Behind Every Smile

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