I love to see people laugh and put a smile on peoples' faces.

Hear the words of Dexter Darden, spoken not with pride of conquest nor with boasting of wealth, but with the humility of one who understands the heart: “I love to see people laugh and put a smile on people’s faces. Anytime I’m doing that I’m happy.” In these words lies a truth as old as mankind—that the joy we give to others is the greatest joy we can ever receive. For laughter shared becomes a bond, and a smile awakened in another is a light that reflects back into our own souls.

The origin of this wisdom is ancient, born of fire circles where our ancestors sat together after days of hardship. There, storytellers told tales not only of gods and battles, but of folly and humor. The sound of laughter rising against the night reminded weary tribes that even in a world of danger, there was still warmth, still togetherness, still joy. To cause others to laugh was not merely entertainment—it was medicine, lifting the burden from shoulders bent beneath sorrow. Darden’s words echo this same eternal rhythm: to bring smiles to others is to heal the world.

The ancients knew the sacred power of joy. In Greece, they honored Dionysus, god of festivity, who taught that laughter and play restored balance to a weary heart. In Rome, jesters and clowns walked the courts of emperors, reminding rulers too proud that they were still men. Even in the East, sages taught that to gladden another’s face was one of the highest forms of virtue, for in bringing joy to another, one affirmed the divine spark in them. Darden stands in this lineage, knowingly or not, declaring that his own happiness is tied not to what he takes, but to what he gives.

History, too, bears this truth. Think of Charlie Chaplin, whose silent films brought smiles to millions during the Great Depression, when bread was scarce and hope seemed lost. Though he never uttered a word, his antics filled theaters with laughter, giving the poor and the broken a moment of escape, a chance to remember their humanity. His legacy proves Darden’s point: there is no greater calling than to place joy in the hearts of others.

Darden’s words also remind us of a profound paradox: by seeking to make others happy, we ourselves find our truest happiness. This is the opposite of the world’s usual pursuit, where men chase joy for themselves and end empty-handed. But he reveals the secret: joy cannot be hoarded, only multiplied. Each smile given returns as a blessing; each laugh kindled becomes a flame that warms both giver and receiver.

The meaning, then, is clear. True greatness is not measured in crowns or gold, but in how many hearts you lift, how many faces you brighten. To dedicate oneself to joy is not frivolity, but heroism, for in a world heavy with sorrow, to bring light is an act of defiance against despair. Every smile sparked is a victory; every laugh is a triumph over darkness.

Therefore, beloved, let this be your practice: each day, seek to place a smile upon at least one face. Tell the story that makes another laugh. Speak the word that lifts the weary. Offer the kindness that brings warmth where coldness reigns. For in doing so, you will not only gladden the hearts of others—you will find your own heart overflowing with happiness. And when your days are told, it will be said of you: this one lived not for himself, but for the joy he gave to others.