Don't Worry Be Happy!

Hi all,

There are times when people have wondered why our dear iCouncil chairman Glendon can always smile so widely. After long time unwilling interaction with him, I have finally discovered the reason, and this is what I shall share with you now.

It all begins with Glendon's amazing intellect in IH and current affairs. In his own words, he had "a lot of free time during P1 and P2", so he would "read the newspapers back and forth". Note the age and note the behaviour. This amazing acquaintance with newspapers and current affairs has developed into what we know today as the modern-day Glendon. In other words, he knows practically any medium-scale current affairs that has happened in the last 5 years.

If you interact with Glendon long enough, you will discover that when Glendon speaks about the poor and the dying in Africa, he doens't smile, but instead frowns slightly. This led me to wonder: Was it due to constant interaction through the newspapers that has led to him realising, as I have as well, that we have no right to be unhappy, simply because there are many poor, sick and starving people in rural Africa who can remain happy.

In other words, as the title of this post sums up: Don't worry, be happy! You have nothing to worry about that is truly very important (this applies in really general situations, like you didn't bring your Maths Assignment)!

Speaking about this makes me think of a recently very popular Chinese song by Jay Chou that has won quite a few major music awards recently. In English, it's called "Rice Fragrance", but I felt that a more appropriate translation would be "Paddy Fragrance", for the emphasis is on the delight of the padi. You can simply watch the video and listen to the song, but if you understand the lyrics, sing along, and reflect on them as you sing, cause you will hear that really, you have nothing to worry about. During a minor interlude in the pre-official-release-version of the song, Jay Chou speaks tells you exactly what I've been saying, that there isn't really a lot to worry about when you think of the many other people around the world suffering. Enjoy the video and the song, and remember: Don't worry, be happy!

Just a slight postscript though: You can also interprete the song as a escapist form of music par excellence (quote some stuff from Animal Farm notes, cause it's really quite appropriate), for it also says that if all else fails you, you will always have a warm and loving family waiting for you.

Cheers,

Darrel