Life Lessons from the book Gifts of the Heart (Gifts of the Heart) written by Hassan A Tetteh

Life Lessons from the book Gifts of the Heart (Gifts of the Heart) written by Hassan A Tetteh 

Lessons from the Frontlines: What War Taught Him About Life, Courage, and Kindness

The work of Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh is profound, insightful, and encouraging 

A  heart surgeon who has experienced  war zones can  teach us about living a meaningful life?

Lessons from Dr Hassan A Tetteh 

During his time as a military physician, he witnessed not only the extremes of human suffering but also the remarkable power of resilience, teamwork, and compassion. These experiences, lived on the frontlines of combat medicine, taught him life lessons that continued to guide him well beyond the operating room or battlefield.

He turned those lessons into a book Gifts of the Heart.   Lessons from the Frontlines: What War Taught Him About Life, Courage, and Kindness. The book is for anyone who’s ever struggled to find courage in the face of fear, or purpose in the midst of chaos.

Here are a few of the core lessons from the book that are worth sharing with every reader, young and old.

1. Courage Doesn’t Mean You’re Not Afraid

Hassan remembers being frozen in fear during a chaotic medical emergency in Afghanistan. What moved him forward wasn’t the absence of fear—it was the choice to act anyway. Courage is doing the right thing even when you’re scared.

2. Calm Is Your Superpower

He says in a field hospital buzzing with panic, it was often the calmest voice that brought clarity. He learned that calm minds save lives—not just in surgery, but in everyday life. Your ability to stay steady is a gift to those around you.

3. You Never Save a Life Alone

He says behind every successful surgery was a team—nurses, medics, technicians, logisticians—each playing a vital role. The same is true in life. None of us thrive alone. Support and collaboration are the foundation of true strength.

4. Listening Heals

Sometimes the best medicine isn’t a scalpel—it’s presence. He gives an example. In one case, a child opened up not because of treatment, but because someone listened to her with patience and compassion. Listening is an underrated act of healing.

5. Kindness Has No Borders

Even in war, kindness transcends sides. He once treated an injured enemy combatant, and that moment reminded him that human dignity must never be compromised—even when it’s difficult.

6. Asking for Help Is Brave

He says that too often, we equate vulnerability with weakness. But asking for help requires strength. Whether on the battlefield or in your personal life, it takes courage to speak up and say, “I need support.”

7. Know Your Mission

Hassan reminds us that purpose keeps us grounded when life feels overwhelming. Amid war’s uncertainty, he  kept going because he  knew his “why.” The same principle applies to anyone—when you know your mission, you walk with clarity.

8. Healing Isn’t Always Beautiful

He tells us that recovery is often messy. Whether  healing from injury, heartbreak, or loss—it hurts. But it’s also sacred. Healing is a process that deserves grace and patience.

9. Quiet Leadership Is Powerful

He says he remembers leaders who never raised their voice—but their presence guided us through storms. Leadership isn’t always loud—it’s consistent, steady, and deeply rooted in integrity.

10. Small Moments Can Change Lives

Hassan tells us that the most profound impacts often come from the simplest gestures—a shared meal, a kind word, a hand on a shoulder. Never underestimate the power of your smallest actions.

11. The Heart Never Forgets

Years later, he says he met a patient he once treated. The patient remembered him not just the care, but the compassion. Hassan tells us we often forget this: our kindness becomes someone else’s story.

This book includes reflections, journal prompts, and exercises to help readers integrate these lessons into their own lives. It’s more than a memoir—it’s a guide to becoming a calm, courageous, and kind human being.

From the operating tent in the desert to your classroom or living room—these stories serve as a reminders that every life matters, that your mission matters, and that you are capable of extraordinary compassion.

If this article resonates with you,  share it with someone who might benefit from these words. And if you’d like to read the full book or bring it to your school or community please do. 

We can teach the next generation how to lead with heart.