Selfishly, it feels great for me to do something that might put a

Hear the heartfelt words of Sami Zayn, the warrior of the wrestling ring and bearer of compassion, who declared: “Selfishly, it feels great for me to do something that might put a smile on someone else’s face.” At first, these words seem paradoxical, for how can it be selfish to bring joy to another? Yet here lies a profound truth of human nature—that in lifting others, we ourselves are lifted, and that in planting joy, we reap it within our own souls. His confession is not of guilt, but of revelation: that our happiness is bound to the happiness we awaken in others.

The origin of this wisdom rests in the ancient bond of human community. From the earliest tribes who sat around the fire, sharing food and stories, to the artists, healers, and leaders who gave of themselves for the sake of their people, mankind has always discovered that joy shared is joy multiplied. Zayn, through his sport and his presence, knows that when he elicits laughter, inspiration, or even a simple smile, he partakes in the oldest ritual of humanity—the strengthening of the bond between souls.

History bears witness to this truth. Consider Mother Teresa, who walked the streets of Calcutta and spoke often of how serving the poor not only brought comfort to them but filled her own heart with peace. Or think of Abraham Lincoln, who in the midst of the Civil War would visit soldiers and hospitals, sharing words of humor and kindness. Those brief sparks of light put smiles on faces scarred by war—and in turn gave him the strength to continue his heavy task. Like Zayn, they discovered that to kindle joy in others is to nourish one’s own weary spirit.

The meaning of this quote reaches deeper than generosity; it is about the mysterious reciprocity of giving. To bring a smile to another’s face is not only to ease their burden, but also to affirm our own humanity. We are not separate islands, but connected streams of life. When one brightens, the light spreads. And so even if one begins selfishly, seeking that warm glow of satisfaction, the act itself transcends selfishness, because it creates goodness beyond oneself.

The lesson is clear: do not be ashamed if you find joy in bringing joy. Do not think it lesser to admit that your own spirit is healed when you heal another’s. For this is the design of life—that kindness blesses both giver and receiver. What Zayn names as “selfish” is in truth the sacred secret of compassion: that when you raise another, you rise yourself. A shared smile is a victory for both hearts.

Practical action must follow. Each day, seek opportunities to give—whether in great deeds or small gestures. Offer a kind word, lend a hand, tell a joke, share a burden. Do not wait for a stage or a spotlight; the power to create smiles is in your hands at all times. And when you feel the warmth it brings to your own heart, embrace it. Let that feeling be the fire that compels you to do it again, and again, until your life itself becomes a fountain of joy.

Thus the teaching is sealed: to make another smile is to heal the world, and in healing the world, you heal yourself. Sami Zayn’s words, humble and honest, remind us of the eternal bond between self and others—that joy is not a possession, but a current that flows freely when shared. Let us then live as givers of smiles, knowing that in every act of kindness, we not only brighten another’s day but also crown our own with light.