I'm a huge sun baby. As soon as the sun comes out, my smile gets

Hear the words of Ricky Whittle, spoken with warmth and honesty: “I’m a huge sun baby. As soon as the sun comes out, my smile gets bigger, so I’m constantly smiling in L.A. It’s a fantastic place to be.” At first these words may sound lighthearted, like the casual joy of a man who loves bright skies, yet within them lies a teaching of ancient depth: that the sun has always been the great awakener of the human spirit, and that joy, like sunlight, grows stronger when we turn toward it. His smile is not only a reaction to weather, but a reflection of how the external light of the heavens can awaken the inner light of the heart.

The origin of this truth lies in humanity’s most primal bond with the sun. Since the dawn of time, our ancestors greeted the rising sun as life itself. To the Egyptians, it was Ra, the great charioteer of the sky. To the Greeks, Helios rode his blazing horses across the heavens. To every farmer and shepherd, it was the promise of food, warmth, and survival. Whittle, in his own way, repeats this timeless devotion: when the sun shines, life feels richer, fuller, more vibrant. His smile widens because his very being resonates with the life-giving fire above.

History offers us countless reminders of this relationship. Consider Akhenaten, the Egyptian pharaoh who turned his people’s worship toward Aten, the disc of the sun. He understood, though perhaps imperfectly, that all prosperity, joy, and hope flowed from that radiant orb. Or reflect on the festivals of midsummer in the northern lands, where entire peoples gathered in dance and song, celebrating the longest day. Their joy, like Whittle’s, was born of light, a recognition that in brightness, the spirit rises naturally toward hope.

The meaning of Whittle’s words is not only about L.A. skies, but about how environment shapes the soul. To dwell in gloom for too long can shrink the heart, while to live in light is to be constantly reminded of beauty. Yet the deeper wisdom is this: while the sun outside may inspire us, the truest light must also be cultivated within. His smile grows larger in sunlight, but we are all called to learn how to kindle an inner sun—so that even in the dark seasons of life, the heart can still radiate warmth.

And yet, let us not dismiss the power of simple joys. To be a “sun baby” is to acknowledge one’s own need for brightness, for warmth, for laughter. It is to live openly, without shame, in harmony with nature’s rhythms. How many of us have forgotten to honor such needs? How many have chained themselves indoors, chasing achievements while starving their spirits of the light that nourishes them? Whittle’s confession calls us back to simplicity: find what brings you light, and let it make you smile.

The lesson for us is clear: seek out your sun. For some, it may be the actual rays of dawn; for others, it may be art, music, friendship, or faith. Whatever it is that expands your smile, do not neglect it. Life is not meant to be lived only in toil and shadow. The ancients danced when the sun rose higher; we, too, must learn to rejoice when light enters our lives.

Practical action must follow. Each day, step into the light—whether it is the light of nature or the light of gratitude. When the sun shines, lift your face to it; when it hides, find other ways to kindle brightness in your spirit. Let your smile be both a reflection of outer joy and a source of inner strength. In doing so, you will not only bless yourself, but become like the sun to others, warming those around you with your presence.

Thus the teaching is sealed: the sun awakens the smile, and the smile awakens the world. Ricky Whittle’s words, though playful, echo the wisdom of ages: to live in joy, to embrace the light, and to let our smiles grow brighter with every ray we receive. Let us, then, live as children of the sun, radiant in spirit, and generous in the light we share.