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| Optimists plan Monday 'cheer-up' | Optimists plan Monday 'cheer-up' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A group of optimists will attempt to banish "Blue Monday" with free comedy and cheer packages for celebrities and others "in need of a lift". | A group of optimists will attempt to banish "Blue Monday" with free comedy and cheer packages for celebrities and others "in need of a lift". |
| The Optimists' Society say they want to reclaim the "most depressing day of the year" as International Optimism Day. | The Optimists' Society say they want to reclaim the "most depressing day of the year" as International Optimism Day. |
| This year "Blue Monday" - a date in January regarded as the most depressing day of the year - falls on 19 January. | This year "Blue Monday" - a date in January regarded as the most depressing day of the year - falls on 19 January. |
| The society will send cheer packages to celebrities such as Jeremy Paxman, and will host a free comedy show in London. | The society will send cheer packages to celebrities such as Jeremy Paxman, and will host a free comedy show in London. |
| This year's Blue Monday comes amid economic turmoil due to the credit crunch, with fears of continued economic gloom and job losses - which the society believes is all the more reason to adopt a positive attitude. With positive action things will always get better Optimists Society founder James Battison | This year's Blue Monday comes amid economic turmoil due to the credit crunch, with fears of continued economic gloom and job losses - which the society believes is all the more reason to adopt a positive attitude. With positive action things will always get better Optimists Society founder James Battison |
| 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! | 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." | "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. | 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". | 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". |