My father-in-law, a gentle, old-fashioned country doctor, had three attitudes that he referred to as his “prescription for a happy life.” He lived by them and he urged them on his patients, his children, and, of course, on their spouses. They were: 1) Think highly of yourself; 2) Never feel sorry for yourself, and; 3) Don’t take life too seriously. As my father-in-law was a wise and happy man, my husband and I tried to pass his prescription on to our own children.