Tuesdays with Morrie

Last year, my sister Nina gave me a paper bag filled with books ‘for entertainment’, she said. I took the bag with not much excitement, as I knew Nina’s reads and mine are very different. I have always viewed her readings as mundane and depressing. Hence the bag was only put aside when I reached home.

The same night, when I was already in bed getting ready for sleep, I remembered the bag. I reached in to it and pulled out a book. The cover read ‘Tuesdays with Morrie- an old man, a young man and life’s greatest lesson’. ‘This is so Nina’, I thought to myself. ‘Another self-help book, must be’, was my next thought. I started reading the next thing I know, I was flipping the pages, whiling me sleeping time away.And, no, people, this is not a self-help book.

I find the book an interesting read-it ‘s about a dying guy, telling a young, healthy guy about life and how to live it. It is inspirational and pathetic at the same time. I think Morrie was a cynical, sour grape guy. He’s dying, and the ones who are not take his words as gospel. I mean, do you have to be half alive to make your opinions valid?

But that was Morrie alright. He made me want to read him. He made me want to know what he’s thinking. Yes, his words were inspiring.

And then he started to talk about how he appreciates life-he sees life from his window every day, appreciating the sunlight, the singing birds...that’s where the patheticness comes in. But then, maybe he’s right. Maybe we should pay attention to the details in life Morrie pointed out. Maybe we sometimes should stop and smell the roses and not be too caught up in life’s everyday blunders.

I love the book, as it gives me room to argue. Both the writings of the author, Mitch Albom, and Morries’ quotes on life make this book a pleasing read. It gives you perspective, makes you appreciate life and everything in it, even more. It’s a suitable for those who always whine about how unfair life is, despite having food on their tables, clothes on their backs and superb health. And also for those who manage to have too many worries on their minds.

Read it, and you will find yourself quoting Morrie subconsciously for weeks on end. (Which is a good thing)