A smile doesn’t go on for a mile…

it lasts a lifetime.

Craig Sager, the relentlessly positive NBA sideline reporter, has died at the age of 65. His toughness was iron strong, as he faced cancer and, incredibly, experienced that same cancer go into remission. Mr. Sager certainly had a memorable collection of high-profile interviews with basketball icons, but his legacy was built on something much more profound and meaningful.

His personality, decorated head-to-toe in spectacularly strange and overwhelmingly loud jackets and suits, was one defined by kindness. A rarity in this world, for sure. So many believe that we must be cool and removed, yet Mr. Sager is one example of how spreading happiness and trying to get people to smile (regardless of and because of their personal struggles and circumstances) is a gift that should be copied-and-pasted over and over…and over again.

One of the great misconceptions about people who appear happy all the time is that there isn’t a darkness or broken element in their life or that they don’t understand the grit of the world. In other words, that they aren’t “real.” Actually, it’s precisely the opposite. If you meet someone beyond the age of 10 who makes it their purpose to be happy, it usually means they have or are enduring deep struggles, but choose to be joyful and bright and bring out happiness in others.

Choosing to be happy instead of aloof and indifferent?

That sounds pretty damn real to me (in more ways than one).

Even just one smile can make all the difference…to somebody.

RIP Craig Sager.