M*A*S*H is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. In fact, an old repeat is on as I type these words.
Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to know both Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye Pierce, and Wayne Rogers, who played Trapper John.
Life Lessons from M*A*S*H
1. Humor heals
Can you think of a more stressful and debilitating situation? Thousands of miles from home, in a war zone, mending wounded bodies.
One of the main coping techniques like laughter. Clever cracks, practical jokes and more kept them going. Humor is a fantastic source of stress relief.
2. A world out of the ordinary
There’s a scene where Hawkeye and Margaret talk about their relationship problems. A great line came out of this conversation: “You know what your problem is? You keep looking for a custom fit in a world out of the ordinary.”
3. The joy of being really good at something you love
The happiest people I know are the ones who do something they love for a living every day.
Even though they were in horrible condition, you could tell the surgeons enjoyed what they did and were committed to being the best they could be, no matter what.