My intention is to get more involved in social projects so I can

“My intention is to get more involved in social projects so I can give people a message of hope.”
Thus spoke Marta Vieira da Silva, the Brazilian legend of football, known not only for her grace upon the field but for the strength of her spirit. In these humble yet powerful words, she reveals the heart of a true champion—one who understands that victory is not complete when the final whistle blows, but when the gifts earned through labor are used to uplift others. To Marta, greatness is not measured by trophies or fame, but by the ability to inspire hope in those who live without it. Her intention, simple yet sacred, is to transform her success into service—to use her voice, her story, and her influence to awaken courage in others.

The origin of this thought lies in Marta’s own journey, which began in the small town of Dois Riachos in Brazil, a place of hardship and scarcity. There, as a child, she played barefoot in the dust, her dreams shining brighter than the sun. The world was not ready for a poor girl who wished to conquer the sport of men, but her heart did not yield. With discipline, fire, and unbroken faith, she rose to become one of the greatest footballers in history—awarded six times as the world’s best female player. And yet, from the heights of triumph, she looked not downward in pride but outward in compassion. She saw the children still playing in the dust, the girls still told to stay silent, and she resolved that her legacy must not be her goals alone, but the hope she could awaken in others.

In this, Marta stands among the noble spirits who understood that fame is a responsibility. Like Nelson Mandela, who after enduring decades of imprisonment chose reconciliation over revenge; like Mother Teresa, who turned her renown into a force for mercy—Marta’s words remind us that the true purpose of success is not self-glory, but service. Every soul that rises must reach back to lift another. The world changes not through wealth or power, but through example—through the light of those who use their achievements to show others that they, too, can overcome.

To give a message of hope is no small act—it is to breathe life into the weary, to whisper courage into hearts that have fallen silent. Hope is the seed from which all action grows. Without it, there is only despair, stagnation, and decay. Marta’s vision of engaging in social projects is therefore not charity, but restoration: to heal what the world has broken, to remind the forgotten that they are seen. She understands that sport, like art or faith, can be a vessel for transformation. The same energy that drives one to victory can drive one to change the world.

And yet, her words carry another lesson—one for all who dream. Marta teaches that intention must become action. To hope is not enough; one must act upon it. Just as she trained her body to master her craft, she now commits her spirit to the mastery of giving. In this way, she mirrors the wisdom of the ancients: that greatness is not static, but a lifelong discipline. To grow in virtue as one grows in strength, to balance ambition with compassion—this is the art of the complete human being.

Let us then follow her example. Whatever gifts we have been given—be they of talent, time, or heart—we must use them to serve others. Each of us can build a small social project in our own way: by mentoring the young, aiding the poor, comforting the lonely, or standing for justice. To share one’s light is to multiply it. For every act of kindness, every gesture of hope, ripples outward like a wave, touching shores unseen.

So remember this, O seeker of purpose: success without service is hollow, but service fills even the smallest life with greatness. To live for oneself is fleeting; to live for others is eternal. When you give hope, you create something deathless, something that will outlast your name. Like Marta, let your intention be not merely to succeed, but to inspire, to lift, to give. For in giving hope to others, you keep your own spirit alive—and in doing so, you become a light for the world.