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We all face difficult times in life, no
matter how we try to avoid them. I remember being in a gloomy and melancholic
mood one day when I started reading this beautiful book. It served as a beacon
of light to me amid these dark days and I got glued to it ever since.
‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ is a heart-warming
creation by Mitch Albom that talks about living life in a meaningful way. It
focuses on the lessons and anecdotes shared by the author’s beloved Professor
Morrie Schwartz during his final stages while battling against a dreadful
disease.
The book is a benign depiction of the
relationship between a teacher and his student who get re-connected after
several years. Mitch visits the old Professor every Tuesday and recalls his
valuable experiences. He takes us through his college days at Brandeis
University where Schwartz taught Sociology lessons. Morrie resumes his
role as a coach in the author’s life who lost track of his mentor after
graduation though this time the lessons are more about life than academics.
Not only does the book bestow upon us the
wisdom of an old man who has seen the highs and lows of life but also strikes a
chord emotionally. For all of us who have been swamped with hectic routines and
monotonous work schedules, Tuesdays with Morrie is a perfect respite.
Here are some of the quotes by Morrie that
resonated with me the most:
“The
most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it
come in.”
Morrie made me realize the importance of
radiating happiness and love around each other. He advises against allowing our
own reluctance and self-inflation to prevent us from loving others. It is not
as difficult as it seems. Sometimes, we are lured by materialistic possessions
to an extent that makes us neglect the essence of treating people with warmth.
However, Morrie reminds us that there is no substitute for love. It is a tender
feeling that families or human relations are built upon and a factor that distinguishes
human beings from the rest of the creatures.
“Don’t
cling to things because everything is impermanent.”
In a world of hustle and bustle, it takes
harsh realities to wake us out of our reverie. We spend hours and years in
finding the right job, the dream car, the majestic house, and such valuable
assets. We are busy doing things that have trivial or no importance. Little do
we realize that the paraphernalia we strive for or the reputation we reach for
mean nothing in the end for everything is transitory. What is most meaningful
is how we spend time with loved ones and appreciate being alive.
“Forgive
yourself before you die. Then forgive others.”
While discussing forgiveness, Morrie
recalls a story about his old friend Norman who never contacted him even when
Morrie’s wife Charlotte underwent a serious operation. Norman apologized after
the incident and tried to reconcile. However, the remorse of not having
forgiven him distressed Morrie after Norman’s death. That is when he advocated
about making peace with ourselves and the ones around us. Only when you forgive
yourself for all the mistakes committed will you be able to accept your
identity. There is no point in holding grudges or vengeance. Forgiveness
teaches us to make things right instead of letting our minds linger in the
wrong ones.
“Accept
who you are; and revel in it.”
In spite of being afflicted by an
incurable disease, Morrie chose to embrace his present. He never threw himself
in a pool of self-pity. He accepted his impotency and let others care for him.
Like him, we too are put in situations that make us hate ourselves or question
our own competencies. The biggest lesson is to never underestimate yourself for
you are capable of achieving wonders. Once you accept yourself, you enter into a
state of contentment and it becomes easy to accept others. Nobody is perfect.
Nobody is flawless. The sooner you accept imperfections, the more gratified you
are.
“Death
ends a life, not a relationship.”
Most of us must have had questions like
what happens after we die or if death is the end of everything. How terrible it
is to no longer be able to see that person, sit beside him, hear his voice,
seek a conversation, or get hugged by him. Well, Morrie has an interesting
perspective on death. He says, “All the love you created is still there. All
the memories are still there. You live on in the hearts of everyone you have
touched and nurtured while you were here.” He believes that even though they
are no longer with us, they continue to influence and shape our lives in
profound ways. It is important to know that just because someone is not
physically present with us does not mean they are no longer with us at all.
They exist in the form of their virtues and vivid memories that keep us
connected.
Morrie’s desire to spread joy even while
succumbing to a deadly illness is truly inspiring. I am sure his teachings will
reverberate in my mind at life’s every juncture. This has definitely become one
of those books I will read over and over again to extract the most of it.
‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ is a beautifully
crafted masterpiece and a must-read for people finding a purpose in life. It is
a book that unknowingly enlightens you about bare pleasures and leaves an
indelible mark in your heart.
Written by – Aishwarya Khandekar
Edited by – Daity Talukdar
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