I enjoy jokes, smiling, and making people smile. I may be a

Hear the gentle yet powerful words of Tim Duncan, a man known not only for his greatness on the court but for the humility of his spirit: “I enjoy jokes, smiling, and making people smile. I may be a little different, but that's OK, who wants to be normal anyway?” Though spoken with lightness, these words carry the weight of wisdom. They remind us that joy, laughter, and difference are treasures, not flaws. In a world that often demands conformity, Duncan calls us back to the truth: that to be yourself, even if it is “a little different,” is the path to true greatness.

The origin of this teaching lies in the life of Tim Duncan himself, a man who rose from the Virgin Islands to become one of basketball’s most revered figures. Unlike many of his peers, Duncan was never known for flashy words or dramatic gestures. His nickname, the “Big Fundamental,” reflected his steady, quiet approach. Yet within that calm exterior lay a heart that cherished smiling and making others smile. His greatness was not diminished by his difference—it was amplified by it. For he showed the world that joy and humility could walk hand in hand with strength and mastery.

This principle has echoed through the lives of many before him. Consider Albert Einstein, whose hair was wild, whose manner was peculiar, and whose thoughts bent the universe itself. Many thought him odd, yet his difference became his genius. Or reflect on Nikola Tesla, who lived alone with his strange habits, misunderstood by his peers, yet whose inventions helped shape the modern world. Like Duncan, they could have hidden their uniqueness to appear “normal,” but instead they embraced it, and in doing so, they gave gifts beyond measure.

The smile itself is central to Duncan’s words. A smile may seem simple, yet it is one of the most powerful tools of connection ever given to humankind. It bridges gaps between strangers, it lifts the weary, it disarms hostility. History remembers Mahatma Gandhi, who, in his frail frame and simple dress, often carried a warm smile that inspired multitudes to follow him in peace. To enjoy smiling and to make others smile, as Duncan declares, is not trivial—it is a way of healing the world, one heart at a time.

The deeper meaning of his words is a call to authenticity. To be different in a world that idolizes sameness is an act of courage. Duncan’s question—“who wants to be normal anyway?”—is not rhetorical, but a challenge to all who hear it. For “normal” is often nothing more than the average, the expected, the safe. Yet greatness, creativity, and joy are born from those willing to step outside that circle. To be normal is easy; to be true is rare.

The lesson is clear: embrace what makes you unique, and let your joy shine without shame. Do not seek to erase your quirks to fit into the molds others create for you. Instead, use them as instruments of light. If your humor lifts others, share it. If your smile brightens a room, offer it freely. If your difference sets you apart, let it set you above—not in pride, but in authenticity. The world has enough sameness; what it craves is sincerity.

Practical action must follow. Each day, choose to share joy, even in small ways: tell a kind joke, give an unexpected smile, lighten the burden of a friend. When you feel pressure to conform, remind yourself of Duncan’s words: “That’s OK.” Remember that those who change the world are rarely the ones who blend in. Instead of chasing normal, chase truth—your truth.

Thus the teaching is sealed: to smile, to bring joy, to embrace difference, is a form of greatness. In these small, human acts lie the seeds of transformation. Tim Duncan, humble giant, has shown us that to be joyful and different is not weakness but strength. So let us walk in his wisdom: smiling, sharing, daring to be ourselves—never fearing to be “a little different,” for it is there that our true power resides.