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A review by lady_wira
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
5.0
At some point in everyone’s life, one craves a sit-down or even a phone call with someone who can help untangle the meaning of life. Now and then the questions, “Why am I here?”, “What’s the point of all this?”, “Is there a reason for any or all of this?” boggles the mind.
Tuesdays with Morrie is a must-read, a true story that takes on the journey of Mitch Albom and his college professor Morrie. After graduation Mitch chases a career life, and while at it, discovers how unfulfilled he is. When he learns of Morrie’s life-threatening disease- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), he feels compelled to go visit him.
Mitch packs up his life in London and goes to Boston to see Morrie. The ensuing pages are gems of the “Meaning of life” from Morrie’s perspective. As his condition worsens, Morrie opens up about his worst fears and regrets. And true to his fears they all manifest. The greatest is not being able to wipe his bottom.
Their interactions cover topics as such as:
• The world
• Feeling sorry for yourself
• Death
• Family
• Emotions
• Fear of ageing
• How love goes on
• Marriage
• Culture
• Forgiveness
Morrie emphasizes the importance of living a genuine life, one free from the pressures of the world/society. To him, genuine life is one that encompasses love, compassion, kindness and acceptance. Society is ingrained with greed, selfishness, and superficiality.
Their encounters are deep and meaningful. Reading this book felt like I was having a conversation with Morrie, he attempted to answer my boggling life questions. It left me feeling heard, assured and accepted. Morrie’s life and how it escaped him left tears in my eyes.
Excerpts:
On taking attendance– The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it.
About the world – Maybe death is the great equalizer, the one big thing that can finally make strangers shed a tear for one another.
On feeling sorry about yourself – I thought about all the people I knew who spent many of their waking hours feeling sorry for themselves. How useful it would be to put a daily limit on self-pity. Just a few tearful minutes, then on with the day.
On death- “Everyone knows they are going to die”, he said again, “but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently” …. “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live”.
Family – The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground, upon which people may stand today if it isn’t the family.
On Emotions – Learn to detach. You know what the Buddhists say? Don’t cling to things, because everything is impermanent.
On Fear of ageing – You have to find what’s good and true and beautiful in your life as it is now. Looking back makes you competitive. And, age is not a competitive issue.
Tuesdays with Morrie is the gem we all need. You might think you know what matters in life. But, reading or seeing this unfold makes it clear. It is not exhaustive or the only truth on the issue of life. It is however a pure depiction of an old man’s reflections on what matters.
Tuesdays with Morrie is a must-read, a true story that takes on the journey of Mitch Albom and his college professor Morrie. After graduation Mitch chases a career life, and while at it, discovers how unfulfilled he is. When he learns of Morrie’s life-threatening disease- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), he feels compelled to go visit him.
Mitch packs up his life in London and goes to Boston to see Morrie. The ensuing pages are gems of the “Meaning of life” from Morrie’s perspective. As his condition worsens, Morrie opens up about his worst fears and regrets. And true to his fears they all manifest. The greatest is not being able to wipe his bottom.
Their interactions cover topics as such as:
• The world
• Feeling sorry for yourself
• Death
• Family
• Emotions
• Fear of ageing
• How love goes on
• Marriage
• Culture
• Forgiveness
Morrie emphasizes the importance of living a genuine life, one free from the pressures of the world/society. To him, genuine life is one that encompasses love, compassion, kindness and acceptance. Society is ingrained with greed, selfishness, and superficiality.
Their encounters are deep and meaningful. Reading this book felt like I was having a conversation with Morrie, he attempted to answer my boggling life questions. It left me feeling heard, assured and accepted. Morrie’s life and how it escaped him left tears in my eyes.
Excerpts:
On taking attendance– The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it.
About the world – Maybe death is the great equalizer, the one big thing that can finally make strangers shed a tear for one another.
On feeling sorry about yourself – I thought about all the people I knew who spent many of their waking hours feeling sorry for themselves. How useful it would be to put a daily limit on self-pity. Just a few tearful minutes, then on with the day.
On death- “Everyone knows they are going to die”, he said again, “but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently” …. “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live”.
Family – The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground, upon which people may stand today if it isn’t the family.
On Emotions – Learn to detach. You know what the Buddhists say? Don’t cling to things, because everything is impermanent.
On Fear of ageing – You have to find what’s good and true and beautiful in your life as it is now. Looking back makes you competitive. And, age is not a competitive issue.
Tuesdays with Morrie is the gem we all need. You might think you know what matters in life. But, reading or seeing this unfold makes it clear. It is not exhaustive or the only truth on the issue of life. It is however a pure depiction of an old man’s reflections on what matters.