Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

I was re-reading a book while having a chat with my father this morning. We talked about the usual stuffs that we normally discuss every time I got the chance to sit down with him. These includes politics, movies, life, and other common things. I’m not sure if those are the usual father-daughter topics, though. Anyway, he asked about the book I’m reading at that time – “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom. I’ve already read that book few years ago, but I just want to re-read it once more. I even offered it to him, I think it’s a good book and that he might enjoy it. But he refused, because unfortunately the fonts are two small for his eyesight. I also found out from him that some of the books that I am reading are book he already read when he was younger. Like “The Greatest Miracles in the World” , “The Return of the Rag Picker” by Og Mandino and the likes. I wasn’t aware that he had also interest in fictions. I always fancy him as someone who read news but never fictions.

I am not really updated with what is happening with our country, I know nothing about economy, government, politics and other current events. I do not watch news lately. I hate watching news at night because all I got is nasty news about crimes, murders, and some celebrity issues. But I still get some updates once in a while through my Papa. He knows more than I do with regard to those things. And every time we’re talking those stuffs, he’s not just retelling those news from those anchor reporters on television, but he were also voicing his own opinions and asking my views and opinions as well. That’s why talking to him is always a learning process for me. He’s neither a genius nor philosophic type of person. His ideas are not deeper nor always accurate. He makes his points base on his experiences and own understanding. And for me that is the best part of those stories. It makes me know my father a little deeper. The way he thinks and how he feels.

As I was reading the book, Tuesdays with Morrie, I now understand more what is it like to have a mentor like the main character in the story, a teacher name Morrie Schwartz. Someone who is not just will tell you what to do, or what to expect, but a person who is willing to share a part of him to you. I got lots of mentors – My Mom, Dad, brother and other people who walks in and out of my life. Those great people who shares part/s of their lives with me. Wonderful people who tell me not just about life and how to live, but also shows me how. They nourished me with knowledge and understanding more than any books that I have read can offer. They are living examples for me. Their own life stories, ups and downs, achievements and hopes in life makes me aware how life runs.

The Book

“Tuesdays with Morrie” is more than just inspiring, it is a true story that captures the compassion and wisdom of a man who lived his life to the fullest until his very last breath. It explores different life’s fundamental issues like family, culture, money, aging, and death. It discuss the meaning of life in a truthful manner from the perspective of a dying man. This book is a series of lessons a former student has with his teacher about facing death and living life, and to not feel sorry for yourself no matter how bad life treats you.

The main theme of this novel is the meaning of life, which is brought about in a very truthful manner. You may find most of the opinion idealistic, but nevertheless you will realize that they are true.

This book is a “runaway bestseller” for a reason. A little book that you can read for few hours but can give a lot of wisdom throughout a lifetime. If you haven’t read the book yet, I suggest try to read it, If it does not touch you, maybe it is a wrong time and you should not give up but try again in the future.

Life lessons from “Tuesday with Morrie“

1. “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.”

2. “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”

3 “If you’ve found meaning to in your life you don’t want to go back. You want to go forward. You want to see more, do more.”

4. “Be compassionate.And take responsibility for each other. If we only learned those lessons, this world would be so much a better place.”

5. “As long as you love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on – inthe hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here.”

6. “There is no such thing as ‘too late’ in life.”