I like joy; I want to be joyous; I want to have fun on the set; I

Hear the luminous words of Doris Day, the golden star of screen and song, who declared with simplicity yet with the wisdom of a life well lived: “I like joy; I want to be joyous; I want to have fun on the set; I want to wear beautiful clothes and look pretty. I want to smile, and I want to make people laugh. And that's all I want. I like it. I like being happy. I want to make others happy.” Though wrapped in the language of delight, these words reveal a profound teaching: that to choose joy is not shallow frivolity, but an act of courage, of devotion, and of purpose.

The origin of this truth lies in Doris Day’s life itself. She was one of Hollywood’s brightest lights, known for her radiant presence, her sweet voice, her laughter that seemed to banish the shadows. Yet behind the glitter was a woman who knew hardship—failed marriages, betrayal, personal loss. Still, she chose happiness not only for herself but for others. She understood that her role as an entertainer was not merely to perform, but to give balm to weary souls. To smile, to bring laughter, to embody beauty and warmth, became her mission in a world too often darkened by sorrow.

History remembers others who bore this same calling. Consider Charlie Chaplin, whose tramp with a cane and bowler hat made the world laugh even in the darkest days of depression and war. Chaplin himself was a man of many burdens, yet he knew the gift of joy could carry others through their struggles. His silent smile, like Doris Day’s laughter, was not trivial—it was a torch that lit the path for millions. Both remind us that joy is not the absence of suffering but the refusal to let suffering have the final word.

The meaning of Doris Day’s words is therefore deeply heroic. She speaks of beautiful clothes and pretty appearances, but beyond the surface lies the greater truth: the yearning to make others happy. She understood that joy multiplies when it is shared, and that to bring laughter to another is to ease their burden for a moment. In her statement lies a reminder that happiness is not selfish—it is a wellspring that nourishes both the giver and the receiver.

The lesson is clear: do not underestimate the power of joy. In a world that often celebrates only seriousness, struggle, and achievement, joy may seem light. Yet it is joy that gives strength to endure, joy that reminds us of beauty, joy that lifts us from despair. To smile and to help others smile is not weakness, but strength of the highest order. Those who can laugh in sorrow are heroes no less than those who march into battle.

Practical action must follow. Seek joy deliberately. Surround yourself with beauty—whether in clothes, in music, in nature, or in companionship. Allow yourself to laugh, even when the world seems heavy. And above all, strive to bring laughter and warmth to others. A kind word, a gentle joke, a small smile may seem insignificant, yet it may be the spark that reignites another’s hope. Like Doris Day, make it your aim not only to be happy but to spread happiness.

Thus the teaching is sealed: to live with joy is to live with strength, and to share joy is to live with purpose. Doris Day, beneath the glamour of her era, revealed a truth for all time: that happiness is a calling, and laughter is a legacy. Let us then walk with smiles upon our faces, warmth in our hearts, and the determination to leave behind not only achievements but also light in the lives of others. For in the end, the truest greatness is not in what we possess, but in how we make others happy.