Beating Blue Monday?

Today is Blue Monday, the darkest, dreariest and most depressing day of the year. It’s the day when weather, post Xmas impecuniousness and the like come together to make us feel utterly miserable. But fear not! According to yesterday’s BBC a group of optimists will attempt to banish "Blue Monday"

The Optimists' Society want to reclaim the "most depressing day of the year" as International Optimism Day. The society will send cheer packages to celebrities such as Jeremy Paxman, and will host a free comedy show in London. James Battison, founder of the "loose-knit social-action group" said: "As an optimist you get to bathe luxuriously in your own good-feeling, while also sparking some fun and laughter in others. It's a win-win way to live. I highly recommend it! The key to feeling positive lies in taking action and making other people smile. Remember, life could always be worse, but with positive action things will always get better."

Cheer packages are also being sent to Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, Radio 4 presenter John Humphrys, famously straight-faced comedian Jack Dee and the cast of the BBC soap EastEnders. In London, a free lunchtime comedy show will be held at the Comedy Store, featuring a motivational session from comedian Neil Mullarkey.

The Optimists Society describes itself as "a social-action group promoting positivity and helping people make a difference to themselves and others through simple actions".

Lifting the gloom of the general public is all well and good and I wish them well but making that sanctimonious sod Paxman smile? I would have thought the only way you could do make him smile is with a chisel.....