Don't Worry be Happy
Headmaster’s Routh Assembly Address
Monday 21st March 2022
Excerpt from: “Happiness” by Heather Harpham.
On my first date we went to an intimate place on the corner of Jane Street in Greenwich Village. The kind of place where, to reach your table, you're obliged to wedge sideways and apologize to strangers whom you've brushed with your hips. Seated, we leaned over the small table to breathe the same air and figure each other out. He said he'd read recently that everyone has a personal "happiness quotient," that your happiness in life is essentially set, regardless of circumstances. He reckoned his was low, and guessed mine was high.
I'd never heard of a happiness quotient. I'd never stopped to consider happiness as anything other than an assumed default state, a place to return to after the occasional thick fog. If, as a kid, I had been asked to state the one thing I believed to be true about my future, I'd have said, "I'll have a happy life."
Not that I'd had a blindingly happy childhood. I hadn't. Everything in my world moved fast, and my job was to hang on. Still, I'd emerged with the idea that my own adult life would be happy and essentially free of adversity.
Good morning.
Yesterday, as you may know, was technically the first day of Spring. That is because it was the vernal equinox. The moment in the celestial year when the Sun crosses the Equator, and the seasons change. Meaning that yesterday was of equal length to yesternight (if that is a word). Sun up at 6:15, sun down at 6:15. Equilibrium, you might say. A moment when the Earth is in balance once again.
And so, in the spirit of bringing a little balance at a time when the human world seems overly weighed down with the doom and gloom of COVID and war and rampant economic inflation, I can also tell you that yesterday was the International Day of Happiness. Hence the reading that Zahrah just shared, about the notion that we all have a ‘happiness quotient’. A fixed amount of happiness that we all return to throughout our lives.
I wonder if you believe that? I’m not certain I do. Mind you, I am not entirely sure how I feel about it being the International Day of Happiness just because the United Nations decreed it so either. On June 28, 2012, UN resolution number 66/281 was adopted. By consensus of the 193 member states of the United Nations, 20 March officially became the International Day of Happiness.
I don’t know if anyone voted against it. Whether there was some rogue nation holding out for an International Day of Grumpiness to balance it all out? Anyway, it was made official. We were all supposed to be happy yesterday.
It is all very laudable of course. The person behind the UN resolution was an orphan, rescued from the streets of Calcutta by Mother Teresa herself. Who’s going to argue with someone like that? He grew up to found the International Day of Happiness Trust. Launched the first day in 2013 with the help of Nelson Mandela’s grandson and Bill & Hillary Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea.
The next year he had Pharrell Williams onboard. The guy who gave us the world’s most irritating song. “Don’t worry, be happy.” “In your life you have some trouble. When you worry, you make it double” and all that. The song that will not die.
Then he went to the UN and name-checked a few of his other supporters: ancient sages and philosophers such as the Bhudda, Socrates, Confucius, Aristotle, Plato. Religious figures like Jesus, Abraham, Moses, and the prophet Muhammad. All of whom were pretty unanimous on the idea that happiness is a good thing.
The UN were hardly going to disagree, were they? Although they did manage to make the whole concept of happiness sound a bit less sexy by writing it down dry legalese, stating that:
“the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal, which recognises also the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all peoples.”
Way to really spread the joy guys.
They then went on to debate a report from the International Institute of Management which detailed something called the Gross National Happiness Index. The Gross National Happiness Index is an exciting little formula that measures multiple economic indicators and demographic statistics and calculates how happy a nation is. Ah Mr Ruben - you Economists are such fun people.
And then, when the debate was finally over and they decided that everyone should be happy one day a year, a flood of bureaucratic organisation poured forth. Campaigns and websites and hashtags and petitions and ‘Happiness’ resolutions and slogans and themes and media events and…. goodness it all got so exhausting.
I don’t really mean to criticise because I genuinely do think that it is admirable to want to spread the message that it is a fundamental human right to be happy. My only observation would be why wait for 20th March each year. Why not just start with yourself, each morning. Today perhaps?
I would love for each of you be happy, or even to just think about being happy, tomorrow as well. To reflect upon what that means for you. By all means, think about the plight of the world’s people, those less fortunate than you, those who live in the shadow of sadness. Have a quick glance at the Gross National Happiness Index for your country if you want. Put Pharrell Williams on auto-rotate if you feel the need too.
But perhaps don’t get so guilt-ridden or world-worried or bureaucratically formulaic about the whole thing that you miss the opportunity to just simply reflect upon what makes you happy. As strange as it seems, psychologists say that we often don’t actually know what makes us happy. We know what we think should do it. What’s supposed to make us happy. But then we are often left confused and unsettled when some of those ideals fail.
So, I recommend spending some time just thinking about what actually works for you personally. Because here’s the thing. Once you get past the simplistic and the superficial. Once you’ve gorged on one too many Mars bars or binged on three solid hours of mindless YouTube surfing, or done whatever else it is you do for a quick fix of serotonin. Once you’ve done that, I am prepared bet that the stuff that actually makes you really happy, in the lasting and meaningful way that Buddha & Co were on about, revolves around four things:
1. Succeeding at something you found really hard and then being proud of yourself. Really, laugh-out-loud, “Damn I’m good” pride in yourself. That is a great source of happiness, especially as exam season looms
2. The buzz that comes from doing something generous and unexpected for another person. Volunteering, donating, the whole random-acts-of-kindness thing. The amazing response you gave to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal last week for example. Altruism makes you happy, that is now a scientifically proven fact
3. Being part of something bigger than yourself. The happiness that comes from a sense of belonging. Plenty of opportunity for that right here. As I said last week, just look at the remarkable number of you who have competed for your House or the School so far this year. Or turned out to support others who represent you.
4. Or simply the number one source of happiness throughout human history. True for every age, every culture, every nation. Your relationships with other people. The very thing that this place is built on.
None of the superficial things: money, status, power, possessions. Just the good stuff – loving and being loved. Perhaps the arrival of Spring is lifting your mood. Maybe you even did observe the International Day of Happiness yesterday. But I hope that you are able to find a little happiness every day. To recognise it, to create it for yourself and to let it keep your world in a healthy emotional balance.
Food for thought.
Presentations
Junior House Squash
In a very competitive junior House Squash competition Wendron Gordon emerged as the overall winners and I invite the captain to receive the trophy.
House Volleyball
Boys:
Runners up – Lyttelton Winners - Wendron Gordon
Girls:
Runners up - Ottilie Hild Winners - Thomas Cookes
Girls' Football Tournament
Congratulations to the Bromsgrove Girls football team, who travelled to Repton School’s U18 7-a-side tournament on Thursday. Our team performed exceptionally and won the tournament undefeated. I invite the captain for the tournament, Beth Rieger to receive that trophy on behalf of the team.
Maths Big Quiz 2022
Three teams from the Upper Fourth took part in the Big Maths Quiz at Birmingham University. Congratulations to all of them, especially the team of Jess Fleming, Rukhsang Tamang, Charissa Brobbey-Sarpong and Isla Sutherland who finished a very creditable 7th out of 77 teams.
Lower Sixth Physics Olympiad
The competition saw 4000 students participate and was tougher than previous years, so congratulations to:
Demian Zhelyabovskyy - Silver
Tom Wang - Bronze
Yanbo Dong - Bronze
Joseph Hong - Bronze
Yutong Hu - Bronze
Larry To - Bronze
Callum Wilkinson - Bronze
Sophia Meadows - Commendation
Justinas Stankus – Commendation
House Music
Our annual House music competitions were at last restarted on Friday and it was a very enjoyable evening listening to an outstanding array of talent. Equally pleasing was the large number of you who went along in support. The adjudicator, Mr Soman, was extremely complimentary to all performers and it is a pleasure to re-present the awards this morning.
Ensemble competition
3rd Walters 2nd Elmshurst 1st Wendron Gordon
Solo Competition
Intermediate
3rd Euan Choi 2nd Jack Hobson
And the very deserving winner, llerioluwa Odugbesan
Advanced
3rd Larry To 2nd Eleanor Boardman
And with a captivating performance, 1st Joshua Graesser
Review
Congratulations to Irene Lo, who has been selected to attend the UK Team Selection Final for the International Biology Olympiad, following her impressive performance in the recent British Biology Olympiad. This is a very special academic achievement and we wish Irene well.
Badminton
The senior team beat Wellingborough School 10-6.
Basketball
The senior team lost to a very strong Myerscough College in the quarter final of the National Cup, but we congratulate them on reaching that stage. Then on Saturday they beat Bloxham School 83-52.
Cross Country
There were good runs on Saturday from:
Misha Bolebrukh, Sophia Meadows, Amilia Redecker, Emily Dyer, Callum Wilkinson and Owen Alekna.
Fencing
Ten Fencers travelled to London to attend the Public Schools’ Fencing Championships. The standard was high, and they found themselves competing against members of the GB squad. Nevertheless, they were undaunted, and each put in superb individual performances in both Foil and Epee finding resilience when the points were not going their way and gaining confidence when their hits were on target. Even more impressive was the support and guidance that they gave to each other.
Football
A very pleasing weekend for the footballers, who played 3, won 3. The 1st XI and U16A beat Bristol Grammar, whilst the Girls 1st team travelled to Stowe and won comprehensively, 6-1. Well done to all.
Golf
The golf team defeated Malvern College 3-1.
Hockey
Well done to the U16A team who beat Calday Grange School in the quarter final of the National Plate. And on Saturday there were good wins for U14C, U14B, U16A, 2nd X1 and the 1st X1.
Netball
The U16B team beat Dodderhill School 25-20 and the School won all 6 matches played against Trent College.
Rugby Sevens
The U14 team lost in the semi-final of the Solihull Tournament and the 1st team reached the final of the Kings Invitational Tournament before losing to the hosts.
Tennis
Finally, well done to the boy’s Tennis team who beat RGS Worcester 6-0 in the first round of the National Cup.
Preview
It is a chance for you to discuss your academic progress with your tutors this afternoon with the latest publication of the AEO grades.
The final of the House Quiz takes place on Friday at 4.00m in Routh Hall.
House Music was back last week and this week it is the turn of Senior House Drama, in Cobham Theatre at 7.00pm on Friday 25th March. The combined talents of over 80 pupils from all 12 Houses, performing a wide range of plays, from Oscar Wilde to Caryl Churchill, Beckett to Margaret Attwood. You are all warmly invited to come and support your friends and your House. Tickets need to be reserved in advance, but most Houses like to block book seats so, check with your House Parent first.
Doors open at 6.40pm and there will be an interval with refreshments in the foyer after the performances at 8.20pm. Our adjudicator this year will be stage, film and television actor, Theo Fraser-Steele, who will be coming straight from the set of the Netflix series “The Crown”
There will be a Mothering Sunday Service this Sunday 27th March at 10:30am. All are welcome (with or without your mums). It will be an informal service of about 40mins.
Hopefully there is enough amongst all of that to bring you some happiness, as the Spring arrives and the World starts to regain some balance.
Please stand as we say the Grace together.