I try to be happy and to give a smile.

Hear the humble words of João Moutinho, the tireless craftsman of the football field: “I try to be happy and to give a smile.” At first, they seem simple, almost childlike in their directness. Yet within them lies the wisdom of the ages. For what is happiness if not the greatest pursuit of humankind? And what is a smile, if not the most ancient gift that one soul can bestow upon another? In this phrase, Moutinho teaches that the noblest legacy is not the trophies won or the victories claimed, but the joy we bring and the light we share.

The origin of this truth comes from the spirit of the player himself, a man known less for loud proclamations and more for his quiet consistency. On the pitch, Moutinho has long been admired not only for skill, but for his composure, his calm presence, his ability to hold the team together. Just as he serves as the steady heart of a match, so too in life he offers the steady rhythm of joy, striving to be happy and to give a smile. His words remind us that joy is not an accident; it is a practice, a discipline, a chosen way of life.

History abounds with echoes of this teaching. Think of Abraham Lincoln, who in the midst of civil war, when the Union trembled and the land was torn apart, would often tell jokes and stories to those around him. His companions sometimes thought him frivolous, but he knew the power of laughter in times of despair. His smiles, even when weary, gave strength to others who could no longer find joy in themselves. Like Moutinho, Lincoln understood that offering happiness, even in small ways, is an act of service as great as any public triumph.

So too, recall Anne Frank, hidden away in her attic during the darkest hours of the twentieth century. Surrounded by fear and the shadow of death, she still wrote of the beauty of the world, of the resilience of hope, of the belief that “people are truly good at heart.” Her courage to seek happiness where none seemed possible, and her refusal to let go of her inner smile, have inspired countless souls across generations. Her light, like Moutinho’s intent, was not for herself alone, but for all who might be touched by her words.

The meaning of Moutinho’s saying is thus twofold: to choose happiness within oneself, and then to give it outwardly to others. For happiness that is hoarded soon withers, but happiness that is shared multiplies. A smile may seem small, yet it is a spark that can ignite warmth in another’s heart. In the stadium, on the street, in the home, the gift of a smile can dissolve tension, awaken trust, and remind the weary that joy is still possible.

The lesson is clear: happiness is not merely found—it is made. To be happy is an act of will, a discipline of gratitude. And to give a smile is to recognize that our joy is not meant to be locked within us, but to flow outward like sunlight. In this way, we become not only seekers of happiness, but sources of it. Just as Moutinho runs tirelessly not for himself but for the team, so too must we strive for joy not only for our own hearts, but for all those who walk beside us.

Practical action must follow. Each morning, resolve as Moutinho does: “I try to be happy.” Begin with gratitude for what you have, however small. And then, each day, give at least one smile freely—not for gain, not for reward, but as a gift. Offer it to a stranger, to a friend, to a loved one, even to one who has wronged you. For in that single act, you may plant a seed of hope that grows beyond your sight.

Thus the teaching is sealed: to be happy is noble, but to give a smile is divine. The world has enough sorrow, enough weight, enough bitterness. What it needs is the quiet heroism of those who, like João Moutinho, choose joy and offer it to others. So let us live not as hoarders of happiness, but as givers of smiles—and in so doing, become lights in the lives of all we meet.