11/24/03

                  The Book That Change My Life

 Tuesday with Morrie is a gift that one man willing to express his devotion, admiration, respect, and especially love for his former professor as he is dying. I absolutely love it. His living and dying show me the way of a good life, and I also learned not to feel sorry for myself no matter what the situation is. Because of this book now I have a greater understanding of the meaning of love, courage, and dying. 

Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays with Morrie, highlights the last days of Morrie Schwartz’s courageous life. I found his courage to face problems inspiring. With dignity he took on the challenge of his ALS: “I don’t want to leave the world in a state of fright. I want to know what’s happening accept it, get to a peaceful place, and let go”. No. Not yet. We still have worked to do.” Problems bring out our courage and our wisdom. So wise people learn not to dread problems, but to welcome their pain. That is what I learned from Morrie’s book. I used to fear the pain involved and attempted to avoid problems. I put them off, ignored them, forgot them and pretended they did not exist. I treated them like a movie, something that was not real to me, and attempted to forget them, rather than suffer through them. Fortunately, now I have the courage to face all my problems with the help of Tuesdays with Morrie.

           Morrie tells us, “Everyone knows they’re going to die.” He emphasizes, “but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently.” Death is the greatest mystery of all and it has caused many people to fear it. Dying people ask so many questions like; “Will the after life be as chaotic and painful as this life or what will be waiting for us when we reach the other side of the veil of death?” Since we have never died before, we don’t know what to expect. There is no way to escape death’s grip, and death is no respecter of persons. I learned that oxygen therapy helps your shortness of breath and helps you become more comfortable, but will not prolong your life. Some people deal with the issue of their mortality by becoming consumed and obsessed with subject of death, and others simply ignore the subject completely. Ignoring death can have tremendous eternal consequences. Morrie reminds us of there when stating,” When you learn how to die, you learn how to live" (82).  He knows that eventually he will die, but did not let the fact destroy his spirits, and he learned to live each day as if it were his last and be happy.
 

Morrie also teaches the reader that, love is so supremely important: “Love each other or perish (91)”. And it’s so true. Without love, we are birds with broken wings. It could be more painful for someone like Morrie who never had his father’s love after he lost his mother. Morrie and his brother, David, would look out the window and see him leaning against the lamppost, and Morrie wished he would come inside and talk to them, but rarely did. Nor did he tuck them in, nor kiss them good-night. Love is very important because we all need someone to love and to love back. If we do not, we are going to live a very lonely and unhappy life. He has the support and love and caring and concern that he gets from his family. I learned to respect the other person and know how compromise just to have peace with people I love. In marriage all of the moments will not be exciting or romantic, and sometimes worries and anxiety will be overwhelming. But together, two hearts that accept will find comfort together. In each other dream or a feeling, and having faith in each other and not giving up, even when all the odds say to quit. For one human being to love another human being; this is perhaps the most difficult task for us. And I hope that I can use what I learned to make a difference in to my life.

              In conclusion, I’m so happy to have read Tuesdays with Morrie.  It provided me with an opportunity to reflect on what is so important in life: courage to face everyday situations. I learned not to let problems overcome me, no matter how difficult things seem. It does not matter if the problem is, physical, mental, social or spiritual. I learned that the only way to face any problem and succeed is to be courageous. However, people who face their problems with courage accept short-term pain for long-term healing. I also learned to keep your worries to yourself. Find someone to talk to; it is a sign of strength and courage to face all your problems. When you recognize that you are bigger than your problems, you gain the courage necessary to overcome anything, and it gives you the ability to rise above reality. Always remember, you are more important than any of your problems.