It seems crazy to think that I’m standing in front of you today as a Year 13. In my last ever year at school. It feels like just yesterday I was sitting on the left side of the auditorium, having donned the blue blazer for the first time.

The older you get, the faster time seems to go by. It's like the days blend together.

One thing that this school has taught me over the last 4 years is that the saying, “the bigger the better” isn’t true.

Just to clarify when I say this, I’m not talking about height. Although being short isn’t that bad, except when you’re in the supermarket and can’t reach the chips cause they’re on the top shelf.

No, when I say this I’m referring to the misconception that the big events, like a concert, a big party, or a sports final bring the most joy.

So often we get so caught up in the future, focusing on these big events months away and forget to live in the present and just enjoy life.

Today is a gift and if we’re not careful we’ll miss out on all the amazing little moments that happen every day.

Something as simple as sharing a joke with your mates, or just receiving a smile from a complete stranger, can bring so much unconditional joy. Even more than those big events. In these moments all your worries disappear, all the hard and stressful things going on are tuned out for that short moment. It feels good.

I’m telling you from experience. Too many times I have become so focussed on the future. For example, last year I became so focused on competing at our end of year hockey tournament, and I overlooked all the amazing little moments that happened at every training. Tomorrow is a mystery boys, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.

The same is true when it comes to gestures. Lots of small simple things can make such a huge impact. Take a simple smile for example. When someone smiles at me it just makes me feel so happy. It's such a simple thing, but it can light up someone's day. A smile shows that you care, and it's a way of sharing joy with someone else.

Just opening the door for someone, or saying "hi" when you walk past can mean so much.

Boys, the feeling you get when you see someone else light up because of a simple thing that you did, is just the best feeling ever.

Hopefully he doesn’t get too mad at me for doing this but I’m going use Hugo Barsby as an example. The reason he’s so likeable is because of all the little things he does. He smiles and says "hi" to everyone, and just has such amazing energy.

Boys, for the rest of the year I challenge you to make the effort to be kind to everyone you pass in the hallways. Say "hi" to them, hold the door open, and just smile.

And boys, make the most of those little moments and stay in the present.

In OBHS tradition, I’ll end with a quote.

“Small things can turn everything around.” - Kai Havertz

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