I was never one of those surly teenagers who doesn't smile. My

The words of Olivia Colman are tender yet profound: “I was never one of those surly teenagers who doesn’t smile. My lovely godfather said it was always lovely to see me because I was the only teenager who smiled. And I was so in awe of him, I thought it was one of the best things anyone had ever said to me. So it made me want to live up to what he said.” At first, it seems the simple recollection of a young girl, yet hidden within is the eternal truth that a smile is both gift and calling, and that the praise of the wise can shape the soul of the young for a lifetime.

The meaning here is not only about smiling, but about the power of affirmation. Words spoken in love and respect can become lodestars, guiding a person long after the moment has passed. When Colman’s godfather told her that her smile was a light in a sea of teenage shadows, he planted in her the desire to live up to that vision. A single sentence, offered sincerely, gave her purpose and strengthened her character. It is proof that encouragement is not mere politeness, but a force that can alter destiny.

The ancients knew this well. Recall the tale of Alexander the Great and his teacher Aristotle. Though Alexander was destined for conquest, it was Aristotle’s affirmations and teachings that gave him reverence for wisdom and culture. The boy became what the teacher called forth in him. So too with Colman: her godfather’s simple remark was no idle comment. It became a mirror in which she saw her better self reflected, and in striving to embody it, she was elevated.

There is also here a lesson about youth. Many pass through the storms of adolescence cloaked in surliness, frowns, and defiance. Yet Colman chose to walk another path, the path of joy. And in that choice, she stood apart. For the smile of a teenager is no small thing—it is defiance against cynicism, a rebellion against despair, a light that says: “I still choose wonder.” Her godfather, with wisdom, recognized this light and honored it. His words were not only blessing but confirmation: that joy, even in youth, is a noble thing.

The origin of this truth lies deep in the nature of the human spirit. We are creatures who long to be seen. When one who is dear to us says, “You bring light,” we learn to guard that light, to nurture it, to keep it burning even when the world seeks to extinguish it. Colman’s experience reminds us that recognition does not puff up the soul with pride, but, when sincere, inspires it toward virtue. Praise becomes not flattery, but responsibility—a standard we desire to uphold.

What then is the lesson for us? It is twofold. First: offer words of encouragement generously and sincerely. For you may never know the power of a single sentence spoken in kindness. It may live in someone’s heart for decades, shaping their choices, uplifting their spirit. Second: when you receive such words, let them become your compass. Do not shrug them off as trivial. Let them remind you of who you are at your best, and strive to live so that those words remain true.

In practice, this means seeking opportunities to affirm others—your children, your friends, even strangers. Say to them, “Your presence brings joy,” or “Your courage inspires me.” These words may be remembered long after you forget them. And in your own heart, recall the affirmations you have received. Let them fuel your path forward, as Colman was fueled by her godfather’s gentle wisdom.

So let us hold fast to this teaching: a smile is not small, and neither are words that honor it. They are seeds planted in the soul, which, if nurtured, grow into lifelong strength. Smile when others do not. Encourage when others are silent. And in so doing, you will leave behind a legacy not of monuments, but of lives lifted, faces brightened, and spirits strengthened for generations to come.