Twenty One Words That Can Change Your Life: Sir William Osler

Introduction

Sir William Osler is one of the most famous and charming physicians of all time. He was an amazing clinical personality and possessed extraordinary skills. He was a prolific writer and his textbooks are still popular among medical practitioners around the world. His lovely conversations with his students and colleagues were documented and several journals appeared in his honor. His popularity can be understood by knowing that several medals, busts, and awards are still in his name. McGill university instituted the Osler society in 1921, the Osler Club of London was established in 1928 and the American Osler society was established in 1971. Japan also instituted the Osler society in 1983 to celebrate the contributions of Sir William Osler towards medical research. But everything was not so perfect as he was a mediocre student during his college life. In the spring of 1871, he picked up a book and read 21 words which changed his life completely. He became so popular that two volumes of books were written on his life after his death. Today we will know those important 21 words and who knows that these 21 words will change your life completely.

Twenty-One Words and Sir William Osler

Sir William Osler holds a unique position in the history of medical science. He inspired several medical practitioners and students around the world. William Osler was born in a small village near Toronto in 1849. He was the eighth child of his parents. He was an average student throughout his school and college life. He was also expelled from his grammar school for abusive language. But 1871 was his luckiest year as he came through 21 magical words in that year. Those twenty-one words were “Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.” Just like us, he was also stressed about his future goals but these twenty-one words helped him to understand the importance of the present. The very next year in 1872, he was able to successfully complete his MD from prestigious McGill University. A mediocre student had become a legendary personality after reading twenty-one words, hence these words can definitely change our lives as well.

Conclusion

There is also a very famous quote “Yesterday was history, Tomorrow Is a mystery but today is present so enjoy your present.” Hence we must enjoy the present moment and do the necessary things required to accomplish current jobs in hand. We must also understand that the future is today and there is no tomorrow. Children used to play with the dog who used to bark more and do not bother the calm dog. Similarly, if we become anxious for future worries then definitely our competitors start playing with our minds but if we focus on present moment then we can become calm and competitors will not know our strategy. Let’s Focus on present tasks and try to accomplish them with all our intelligence, sharpness, and skills.