Tuesdays with Morrie

Tuesdays with Morrie” is a book exploring many dimensions of human existence, including the psychosomatic dimension. Morrie, who is dying from Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS), shares his wisdom about the interconnectedness of the mind and body, and how they can affect each other. He gave insights about the importance of emotional awareness, connection with others, love as the healing power in healing, the importance of marriage and family, friendship, creating one’s own culture, forgiveness, death, and inner peace.

• Death: He was intent on proving the word dying was not synonymous with “useless”. Death is as natural as life. It’s a part of the deal we made with nature. Even in his condition, he still finds meaning and purpose in living. His courage, his humor, his patience, and his openness remind me of the last days of my late Dad, even though his heart was failing and having to carry a catheter around because of prostate cancer, he still finds meaning in living. He never for one stopped going to work. He was more concerned about all the adopted kids at the orphanage for whom he was paying their school fees. At that point, his major drive was his love for humanity.
• Emotions: He gave insights on how one could manage emotions, whether fear or anxiety. Our ability to experience it, manage it, recognize it, and detach from it. Don’t cling to things, because everything is impermanent. We are not to let our emotions control us. When the need to cry comes, let it flow, but be able to say it’s alright and detach from it. We normally hear “Men don’t cry”.it is ok to cry.
• Creating one’s own culture: He gave insights into creating our own culture. We’re so wrapped up with egotistical things, careers, family, and having enough money, thereby putting our value in the wrong things which leads to very disillusioned lives. The status will get you nowhere. Only an open heart will allow you to float equally among everyone. We need to create our culture and learn how to be compassionate and show love. Satisfaction doesn’t come from material things; satisfaction comes from lending a helping hand to others.
• Forgiveness: His insights on forgiveness reminded me of my own experience about a close friend, who was supposed to be my chief bride’s maid, but never showed up, little did I know that my friend had an asthma attack and was carried into the intensive unit, where she was battling for her own life. I did try to reach out, but her phones were not reachable. I was very angry and promised not to forgive her for that, I never reached out again. Years later, I ran into her and was told this story. I felt bad, as I saw myself as a bad friend. We must learn to forgive others and forgive ourselves. we must learn to love unconditionally.
• Family: Morrie also gave insights on the importance of family, he said there is no foundation, no secure ground upon which people may stand today if it isn’t family. We must learn to value our families. There are certain conditions you might find yourself and you realize that your only comfort and help comes from them. Remembering, the worst days of my dad’s illness, at some point, he couldn’t do things for himself anymore, he solely depended on us his kids, and my Mum to clean him up and feed him. we all must age one day. Imagine being sick and helpless with no one to care for you, life will be empty and unbearable. At some point in our lives, we would be dependent on others. Learn to love and care for your family.
• Love: On love, he says: Love wins, love always win. The most important thing in life is to learn how to give love and to let it come to you. The Bible also made us understand that the greatest commandment is Love. 

Finally, we must learn to find meaning in living, situations will come when giving up on life seems to be the only option, remember Morrie and his will to find purpose in life and hang in there. 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.