Inspiration from a Clown and a President

The night before Barack Obama’s inauguration we watched the 1998 movie ‘Patch Adams‘. It turns out that Patch has a bit in common with Mr Obama. Both can provide us with inspiration for dealing with challenging times and for getting more life out of life.

Patch Adams is an American doctor who believes, literally, that laughter is the best medicine. He was made famous by the aforementioned film which was inspired by his life. You may remember it starred Robin Williams. Patch eschews what he sees as the over-seriousness and false hierarchy dominating western medical care. He also likes acting the clown.

Barack Obama is President of the United States. (I know that you know that, but that’s the first chance I’ve had to write it as a statement of fact rather than hope). Obama has a great respect for the traditions which keep history alive. He has little respect for conventions which kill off innovation and original thought.