In the book, Tuesdays with Morie, Morrie says "once you learn how to die, you learn how to live." (Albom, 1997, p.82). This essay intends to discuss in depth what Morrie has taught me about his experience and insights about dying. One thing that is worth noting is that at the time of Mitch’s interaction with Morrie, the old man was suffering from a chronic disease that was causing his health to deteriorate each day. However, Morrie maintained a positive mind and optimism about life. Unlike many people who would keep worrying about their worsening health, Morrie learnt how to lead a normal life despite his illness.
According to Morrie’s experiences, it is evident that life is important. Each day that we are privileged to have should be treated as a blessing. It is apparent from Morrie’s life that he understood that life is precious. Every day should be used doing something helpful to both oneself and the world. For example, the death of Morrie’s uncle makes him understand that he was lucky to be alive. Morrie decides to better himself by pursuing a degree in journalism. It is the realization that being alive is golden that allows us to make sure that we make positive strides every day. Morrie like any other person had a dream. He wanted to accomplish many things in life. According to this book it is clear that Morrie wanted to be a musician. However, his hopes of ever fulfilling this dream are cut short by the fact that he is diagnosed with a chronic disease. One of the things that are worth noting form Morrie’s experiences is that we should not let our atrocities define us.
In spite of the hovering wave of death that surrounded Morrie, he remained strong. In fact, he took up a job at a University to teach people how important it was that people lead better live despite experiencing challenges as was his case. Morrie understood that life should not be used for only ones own good but for societal benefit. This is the reason why the old man takes time to talk to Mitch and advising him on how he should handle different challenges in life. This sacrifice for a man who is chronically ill is service to other people. It illustrates the fact that Morrie was not a selfish individual but one who understood the importance of both life and society. Every time he interacted with Mitch he was optimistic about life and did not groan over the unfolding of events that made him unable to lead a normal life. Morrie argues that each individual has unimaginable potentialities and unless we exploit our potentials it is difficult for us to be able to realize them.
Morrie explains that our dependency on other people’s opinions and the perpetual desire for many individuals to seek the approval of their peers is one of the reasons why many people never improve in their lives. This is because many people discourage us from what we believe to be important by showing us that what they value is important. Morrie argues that it is not our prerogative to let other people define us. If we stand by what we know we will always be able to succeed. Being our own leaders and having our own self-drive is important in ensuring our success.
Despite his articulation of the importance of an independent life style, Morrie is quick to explain that man is a social being that does not have the ability to survive alone. Man has to interact with other people in society. Mitch wonders why Morrie continues to read newspapers even after he realizes that he is chronically ill. Morrie explains that the mere reason that he is ill does not mean that he should not be interested in the things that are happening across the globe. Provide that Morrie is alive he should actively participate in matters of society. This is a great lesson that can be learned from this old doctor of sociology. His continued curiosity about the world indicates that Morrie understand that a man only has the ability to live once. This means that a man does not cease livening until one is dead. Even though one knows that he or she is about to die, they have to make sure that he or she continues to enjoy life and interact with the members of the society. Morrie is quick to point out that education does not stop being important. Even though he is ill, knowing about the different happenings around the world would still be beneficial to him. This is the reason Morrie continues to actively participate in the society and reading newspapers just like any other healthy individual could do.
Morrie’s positive attitude regarding his condition and society bought him more love from the society. Many media houses such as ABC reflected on his life describing him as a courageous individual. It is worth noting that life is cyclical process. This means that if you show love to society, then love is also going to be extended to you by members of society. Therefore, maintaining positivity in terms of thought and interact with members of the society is important. Even though at times it is difficult to actively participate in the matters of society due to our health conditions or different commitments, it is important to make sure that we find time for other people.
Morrie’s condition is saddening. As human beings we tend to be sad when something bad befalls us. It is sometimes difficult to resist our mortal feelings. Morrie acknowledges the fact that he also gets sad about his condition. During the times that he feels sad, he lets himself to cry. This helps come him down. This means that we cannot ignore our human feelings. However, our thoughts and actions should be guided by our conscience and inner spirit. Our conscience in many incidences leads us to making the right decisions. Letting our bodily feelings and urges govern us can in most cases make us make the wrong decisions.
Morries’s actions of moral courage and his optimism to both life and society are shaped by his internal spirit. This allows him not to be preoccupied by the bodily pain and illness that affects his nerves, but to rely on his internal spirit. Morrie’s reliance on his conscience makes him a strong man who faces his challenges with a lot of vigor and courage. This is the reason that this old doctor of sociology has time for other people such as Mitch who thirsts to learn from him. Therefore, it through the realization that death is inevitable that one cherishes one’s life. In this way, one is able to lead to productive life that is free of regret.
References
Albom, M. (1997). Tuesdays with Morrie: an old man, a young man, and life's greatest lesson. New York: Doubleday.
