Deepa Shankar
ThreeFish Consulting
There are some books which never get old, staying relevant – regardless of when you read (or re-read) them. I have a handful of books, which I go back to at times for many reasons. This is the one I read when I find myself needing comfort, reassurance and even on occasions – direction. A masterpiece by American journalist and author, Mitch Albom, it is a short book about conversations between a teacher and a student, filled with an old man’s reflections on life. A teacher with a death sentence, who so beautifully teaches his student the most valuable lesson of all – on life.
“The last class of my old professor’s life took place once a week in his house, by a window in the study where he could watch a small hibiscus plant shed its pink leaves.The class met on Tuesdays. It began after breakfast. The subject was The Meaning of Life. It was taught from experience,” writes Albom.
Morrie Schwartz was Albom’s former sociology professor at Brandeis University in the city of Waltham, Massachusetts. After seeing his favorite teacher appear on ABC News’ late-night television news program broadcast – Nightline, afflicted with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Mitch Albom, then a successful sports columnist, reconnects with him. He also starts visiting every week, on Tuesdays. The book, divided into 14 different days, recounts each of the fourteen visits Albom made to his ‘Coach’ and learning from him, his final lesson of life.
A dear friend and former colleague had recommended this book to me 25 years ago, when I was going through a period of immense personal loss and struggle. “It’s a small book, Indrani – just give it a read once, you will not regret it,” – I bought it, started it – and simply could not put it down. Now, I recommend this book to everyone – you are bound to get immersed in the narrative, shed a few tears even, but it will be worth it. On the surface the book is about death, but I found that it’s more about the importance and beauty of life. Including, some no-nonsense advice like, ‘How useful it would be to put a daily limit on self-pity. Just a few tearful minutes, then on with the day,” …
Some of my favorite Morrie quotes from the book:
“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.”
“What’s wrong with being number two?”
“Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone.”
“Don’t cling to things because everything is impermanent.”
The wise coach encourages his student to connect with others and building meaningful relationships, because they give life purpose and meaning. And, stresses the importance of living in the present moment, instead of dwelling in the past or worrying about the future. He believes that true happiness comes from fully experiencing each moment. In the rat race of today, Tuesdays with Morrie reminds us to slow down and appreciate each other.
The question of Morrie’s that sticks with me the most is, “Are you trying to be as human as you can be?”
The teaching, as the author says, goes on…
