In this week’s Thursday Reflection, boys at Pilgrims’ considered the nature of happiness, discussing questions such as ‘what is happiness?’, ‘what makes you happy?’ and ‘how important is it to be happy?’ They listened to Pharrell Williams’ song ‘happy’ and thought about the message it contains about happiness. Finally, they were introduced to Pope Francis’ ten secrets of happiness:

1. Live and let live.
2. Give of yourself to others.
3. “Proceed calmly” in life.
4. Enjoy leisure.
5. Take Sundays off.
6. Create jobs for young people.
7. Protect and respect nature.
8. Don’t be so negative.
9. Don’t proselytize; respect the beliefs of others.
10. Work for peace.

(cf. Marcaletti, M. (2014) Pope Francis’ ten secrets to happiness, available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/08/01/pope-franciss-ten-secrets-to-happiness/)

Paul Bryant
School Lay Chaplain & Head of Theology, Philosophy and Religion
Co-ordinator of SMSC