Louis Armstrong - What a Wonderful World
Witchdoctor as usual does a excellent summary of the Right to live and the Right to Die. This is worth a read. Witchdoctor's a current resident frog locked in her dungeon has been writing some excellent material here and here.
Dr No talks too much. Personally, I think he should concentrate on the Page 3 The Sun. It may remind Dr No that he is alive and well :). Seriously though, the above posts are some of the best ones internet wide. In my world view, Witchdoctor and Dr No would have more fun in Hawaii together but apparently her broomstick has broken down hence they have both resorted to debating life and death. That doesn't mean Dr No doesn't want to know about Witchdoctor's grass skirt. This just means he is avoiding the subject by being intellectual. Men often do that kind of thing. Especially intelligent men.
Personally, in the UK, there is too much debate about death. The way I see it, its quite simple and clear cut.
Dr No talks too much. Personally, I think he should concentrate on the Page 3 The Sun. It may remind Dr No that he is alive and well :). Seriously though, the above posts are some of the best ones internet wide. In my world view, Witchdoctor and Dr No would have more fun in Hawaii together but apparently her broomstick has broken down hence they have both resorted to debating life and death. That doesn't mean Dr No doesn't want to know about Witchdoctor's grass skirt. This just means he is avoiding the subject by being intellectual. Men often do that kind of thing. Especially intelligent men.
Personally, in the UK, there is too much debate about death. The way I see it, its quite simple and clear cut.
1. If people want to live, they should be given the best opportunities to do so. Any decision on End of Life decisions in a an incompetent individual should be done with discussion with their next of kin and relatives.
2. If people want to die. They have a right to do so as long as they are not compromised by their mental health and are able to make a legitimate decision.
I think the problems arise when doctors begin to forget they are just receptionists at deaths door. When doctors start to have ideas above their station, life gets a little complicated for them. As for discussions about death, we have too many of them. We don't have enough discussions about living and living well or being happy. The entire public health agenda by the Department of Health centers around either avoiding death or telling us we are going to die if we don't do something. Apparently, if we eat anything now, we are bound to die off. As soon as we are born in the UK, we are told that we are going to die in some unfortunate way.
This is why I prefer the ethos of India who concentrate more on living than dying. If and when I decide to die, hopefully my demise is quick. I have no reason to commit suicide because it's a messy messy way to die and let's face it I don't really want to be found with non designer underwear. As I can't afford that at the present time, there will be no deaths of this kind involving me. I understand this may upset the world view of the GMC or those that hate my guts but there we go. Tough! On a more serious note, we get one chance to live and its important not to throw that chance in the bin.
I do like concentrating on living - because I think trying to be happy is the most wonderful adventure any person can ever have on their own. I sometimes wish more people would understand that concept. Happiness often exists in the simplest elements. We often pass by it because we are socially conditioned to always want more and more material things. The concept of happiness requires thought. Once you have discovered the key or the path towards it, there is no looking back.
Dedicated to Angela who was a patient of mine once. She sent me one of my most valuable possessions. The card said
2. If people want to die. They have a right to do so as long as they are not compromised by their mental health and are able to make a legitimate decision.
I think the problems arise when doctors begin to forget they are just receptionists at deaths door. When doctors start to have ideas above their station, life gets a little complicated for them. As for discussions about death, we have too many of them. We don't have enough discussions about living and living well or being happy. The entire public health agenda by the Department of Health centers around either avoiding death or telling us we are going to die if we don't do something. Apparently, if we eat anything now, we are bound to die off. As soon as we are born in the UK, we are told that we are going to die in some unfortunate way.
This is why I prefer the ethos of India who concentrate more on living than dying. If and when I decide to die, hopefully my demise is quick. I have no reason to commit suicide because it's a messy messy way to die and let's face it I don't really want to be found with non designer underwear. As I can't afford that at the present time, there will be no deaths of this kind involving me. I understand this may upset the world view of the GMC or those that hate my guts but there we go. Tough! On a more serious note, we get one chance to live and its important not to throw that chance in the bin.
I do like concentrating on living - because I think trying to be happy is the most wonderful adventure any person can ever have on their own. I sometimes wish more people would understand that concept. Happiness often exists in the simplest elements. We often pass by it because we are socially conditioned to always want more and more material things. The concept of happiness requires thought. Once you have discovered the key or the path towards it, there is no looking back.
Dedicated to Angela who was a patient of mine once. She sent me one of my most valuable possessions. The card said
"Dr Pal, Thankyou so much for all you have done and still doing for me. The fact I am still here! and able to thank you".
1 comments:
Rita - You have a point. One of the unwritten posts swirling around in my head is the "We're all taking this too seriously, let's lighten up a bit" post. But it remains unwritten because, actually, this is serious and important, and very sinister forces are at work; and if the good remain silent, then evil will prosper.
But - in mitigation - I do leaven the seriousness with a poke of fun at the establishment every now and then.
Post a Comment