‘An ice-cold glass of Champagne and I’m well on the way to being cheerful!’
GH favourite Jane Asher has realised that there is joy in every moment, if only you can recognise it
Some of the happiest moments may seem very ordinary at the time. A quiet night in watching an old film with a glass of wine and beans on toast; enjoying the daily cup of tea that’s been brought to me pretty much every morning for 40-odd years by my husband; finding a moment to sit and read a good book. Happiness is so simple in childhood. Few things in my adult life have quite matched the joy and satisfaction of having tea on my 8th birthday in Lyons Corner House and the orchestra playing just for ME! As life goes on, it has inevitably become more about the physical and emotional health of family members and loved ones. When they are well, everything else becomes unimportant. There’s a lot of truth in the old chestnut about helping others, and I do get enormous pleasure from my work with the National Autistic Society, Parkinson’s UK and Arthritis Care. As a doctor’s daughter, I’m sure it’s no coincidence that the three organisations I work with are all medically based. If I can help to raise funds and draw attention to these complex and potentially devastating conditions, that brings me great satisfaction. That’s not to say that I am unselfish when it comes to being happy… Show me a little turquoise box with white satin ribbon on it (it’s got to be Tiffany!) and I’m ecstatic; let me wake up to a good hair day and I’m smiling; send me an email offering me a fabulous part in a play or TV production and I’ll whoop for joy; pass me an ice-cold glass of Champagne and I’m well on the way to being cheerful. Going to a good musical has to be one of the quickest routes to being happy. I’m about to appear in An American In Paris in the West End – talk about happiness! My musical and dance participation will be minimal, but I am having the time of my life being part of such a wonderful show.