Reasons to celebrate!

Tonight, one billion people all around the world will watch the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. Stratford (Stratford!?) will be the centre of the globe for at least a few hours. As I’ve already mentioned – several times – I was lucky enough to see the rehearsal on Wednesday and I promise you it will be a wonderful spectacle, and a huge party. A celebration of Britishness – not the power/empire/bulldog/stiff-upper-lip image that I’m afraid I recoil from, but the best of British people, spirit and art.

Anyway. Today lots of people who aren’t particularly interested in sport are starting to catch the buzz and get happy and excited. Jeremy Vine, on his lunchtime programme on Radio 2, talked about ending the complaining and cynicism that are still around and getting into the true Olympic spirit. I was delighted to hear people phoning and emailing in to say that they had been cynical but have now changed their attitude, having heard the bells this morning, seen the stadium, or whatever. Surely it’s all worth it if just one individual person, as a result of the Olympics, changes their mood from grumpy to happy!

This is the simple point I want to make today. Whether or not you like sport, there is something in this fiesta for you. Watch dedicated athletes show us their talent, hard work and dedication, celebrating excellence and sharing with us how wonderful it can be to be a human being. Share in the collective excitement: join in. Enjoy the party atmosphere, the positivity and energy.

Let’s not say “bah humbug” and be party poopers! If you do, guess what, you are the one missing out. Want to be part of something big, happy and energetic? Or to put up a big grumpy barrier and say “no thanks” to those lovely things? Just for once, let’s make Britishness synonymous with optimism, joy and energy! And maybe, just maybe, some of it will stick and this country will never be quite the same again………………