Dr. Bushra Hanoun Mohsen / College of Islamic Sciences / University of Karbala

When life burdens us, we find ourselves escaping into memories, back to those joyful days when innocence, smiles, and play were all we had. We would run through the streets and alleys with girls and boys, discovering new games each day that brought joy and delight to our souls. Life would lead us down paths of happiness, and by the end of the day, exhaustion would take its toll. The next day, we would rise with no concern for rest, overwhelmed by the feeling that we owned the earth and everything on it. We never thought about tomorrow; our only worry was living today, content with the happiness that filled our hearts. But we wake from the dream to face the harsh reality— we’ve grown, and our worries have grown with us. Happiness has become a distant dream, and our demands from life keep increasing, chasing them, hoping we might catch up, only to find that they’ve already outrun us. It’s an endless race, and every time, we see life moving ahead, casting us glances as it laughs wholeheartedly, saying, “You will keep running, but I will always remain in the lead.” So, is there really anything worth pursuing? What do you think?