Recipes for happiness
BMJ 2000; 321 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.321.7276.1572 (Published 23 December 2000) Cite this as: BMJ 2000;321:1572All rapid responses
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Happiness need not be as elusive as many think. Life is
intrinsically good and we should be aware of the importance of family and
friends - they should be the source of our contentment. Be pleased with
what you have achieved. If we get our priorities right and are prepared
to make them known to others we can truly live.
Competing interests: No competing interests
The Quality of Life; Recipes for happiness
It has been always a major question in my head, what is happiness?
In one word, happiness means success and the reverse is also true! In
other words, life is full of continuous challenges that need to be
conquered. It depends on one's interest to choose the challenge. This will
be one of two types; either a temporary one or a lifetime one.
Once success reached, happiness is made. Certainly, we don't live
alone in this world. Therefore, we have to interact with others, either
intimately or casually. The trouble usually comes from those close to us,
because we care.
Work hard to reach your goals or relax and enjoy the ride? The answer
is a combination of both in a balance to maintain happiness.
M Z Khalil, MD
Competing interests: No competing interests
Thomas Koshi was an great teacher of Radiology and a wonderful person
who lived by the following rules and was admired by many in Christian
Medical College, Vellore, India.
The following were remembered by Shalini Govil, a friend and colleague of
his in his obituary.
I think these rules make an excellent recipe for happiness.
WORK AND LIFE - A Set Of Rules BY THOMAS KOSHI.
1. Turn up for work when you're supposed to and work very, very
hard. But keep it a secret.
2. Make difficult things look easy and easy things look even easier.
3. Think that everyone who works with you is special and that you
are ordinary.
4. Feel bad when things go wrong. Take responsibility for it. And
when things go well, let someone else take the credit.
5. Don't take offence easily but always remember when someone
helps.
6. Don't be a bore, don't patronise and for God's sake don't be
pompous..
7. Be a buddy to those who work with you but especially to
those who work FOR you. Know everyone's name and remember their life
story.
8. Let the time between parties be small and the time between
quarrels long.
9. Laugh and dance a lot - with everyone. Turn the music up loud
and let the fun begin!
10. Cry when you have to.
11. Wake up early and run.
12. Cook something nice every day, enjoy it and bring leftovers to
work the next day and show off.
13. Be nice to all the kids you know. Let them associate you with
parties and fun and a good time.
14. Don't miss church.
15. Love your family and live for them. Love your friends forever.
Competing interests: No competing interests
SEX, SEX, and SEX
Isn't sexual happiness what matters the most?
Competing interests: No competing interests