I am so happy to be alive. That's the one thing I'd like for

Hear the words of George Foreman, once a warrior of the ring, later a teacher of life: “I am so happy to be alive. That’s the one thing I’d like for people to know. Sometimes people walk by and slip up and say the wrong thing about me, and I’ll smile. They wonder why am I smiling. Because I’m happy that I’m alive.” These words are not the boast of a champion, nor the complaint of a wounded man—they are the song of one who has seen the edge of darkness and chosen gratitude as his shield. For to be alive is itself the greatest triumph, greater than titles, crowns, or the roar of the crowd.

The ancients too knew this truth. After great battles, when the fields were heavy with the fallen, the survivors would lift their hands to the heavens and give thanks. They had seen death close its grip upon others, yet it had spared them for another dawn. Thus, they rejoiced not in wealth, nor even in victory, but in the simple, profound gift of breath, of heartbeat, of continued life. So too Foreman, scarred by hardship, battered in body, yet radiant in spirit, reminds us: the true victory is to awaken each morning with the gift of being alive.

There is a noble defiance in his words. For when others mock or insult, when whispers of judgment follow him, he answers not with anger, but with a smile. That smile is his shield, forged not of pride, but of joy. He does not need to strike back at words, for he carries a treasure that no insult can diminish—the treasure of existence itself. This is the power of one who has looked into the abyss, who has seen what it means to lose, and who has returned with the wisdom that every breath is worth celebrating.

Consider the story of Nelson Mandela, who spent decades in a prison cell, condemned by injustice, robbed of freedom. Many would have grown bitter, yet Mandela emerged with a smile, speaking of forgiveness, of reconciliation, of the joy of simply walking under the sun as a free man. Like Foreman, he understood that life itself is precious beyond measure. The words of critics and enemies weighed little against the immeasurable gift of breathing, moving, loving, and being alive.

The meaning of this quote lies in its simplicity. Foreman does not speak of championships, riches, or glory—though he knew them all. He speaks of the basic truth that underlies every other pursuit: life itself is the foundation of joy. Too often, people waste their days chasing approval, crushed by the words of others, blind to the miracle of existence. Foreman calls us back to the root: you are alive—rejoice in it, for it is the first and greatest blessing.

The lesson for us is this: do not let the words of others steal your peace. If you live, if you breathe, if the sun still shines upon your face, you have reason to smile. Do not wait for perfection, for riches, or for universal approval, for these things are fleeting and uncertain. Instead, root your joy in the unshakable truth of being alive. Then insults lose their sting, hardship becomes bearable, and gratitude shines brighter than despair.

Practically, we must cultivate this joy deliberately. Begin each day by acknowledging life itself: breathe deeply, give thanks for the chance to see another morning. When criticism or insult comes, pause and remember: “I am alive, and that is enough.” Practice smiling, not as denial of pain, but as a declaration of victory over bitterness. In this way, your life becomes a testament to resilience, and your spirit shines as a beacon to others.

Thus, let Foreman’s words be passed down as a teaching: “I smile… because I am happy that I am alive.” It is a call to gratitude, a call to resilience, a call to remember the foundation of all joy. Carry it into every season of life, and teach it to those who come after you: that no insult, no trial, no shadow can dim the radiance of a soul that rejoices simply in the miracle of being alive.