"Tuesdays with Morrie"
by Mitch Albom
This book to be honest, is the first book that I actually have been reading and interested in for a long time. I guess n=being that the general trending topic in the story is Death and being grateful for life, I mean, who wouldn't be interested (unless you are a seriously living under a rock). But anyways, i found this book to be a great read. The story is about Mitch, a middle aged sports writer who feels his life is kind of empty. He has fond memories of college and his old, unique professor, Morrie, who he referred to as "Coach". Believing this time in his life is nothing but a memory, Mitch goes on with life, with no intention of going back in time. meanwhile, his old professor, Morrie, has become very sick, dramatically changing physically, but not mentally. Morrie has become more mentally strong because of his sickness because he's in a position in which he sees and feels how much life really means and is to him. Morrie then has a chain of events that happen to him, which lead him to apper on a Nightline talkshow to talk about his Illness. That's how student and teacher reunite.
Over the next few months, Mitch the student reconnects with Morrie the teacher on a journey to the subject of Life. They talk about different topics every week, every TUESDAY, ranging from Death, Illness, Money, Power, Fear, etc. Morrie is in a situation where he sees Life in a different light, and is therefore able to somewhat open Mitch's eyes to what Life is really about. In this process, Mitch, who represents a pretty major portion of the worlds population, learns that Life shouldn't be taken for granted and that its much more than society has made it out to be, like making alot of money.
To me, i think the author's purpose was to get what happened to Mitch( who is the author) in the heads of alot of people, or at least those who read the book. After reading this book, I persobnally have learned alot of insight on what Life really is and how growing up in modern society may have blinded me from the truth at some points. Also, I like how the book explores the subject of death. On the matter of fear of death, there is a quote that will always be on my mind, which is "when you learn how to die, you learn how to live". This quote is saying that you can't spend many hours of your lifetime fearing death or not wanting it to happen because its going to happen regardless. Believe it or not, death is apart of life, so thats just more inspriration to go out into the wolrd, show people and yourself who you truly are and just try and accomplish as much as possible.
This book was quite honestly one of the greatest reads that I've had in a very long time. With that said, a book like this also teaches me a little something on the subject of reading, that being it could become more sucessful if the read text could connect in apositive, impactful way to the reader, making the reading experience that much sweeter. "Tuesdays with morrie" did just that for me, which is why i actually enjoyed reading the book based on multiple personal connections to it, rather than having to feel forced to read it as part of a school assignment.
Friday, December 17, 2010
HW 23 - Illness & Dying Book, Part 2
Continuing to read "Tuesdays with Morrie" gives me sources to expand my own ideas about the general topic of Death and Illness. At this point in the book, which is basically in the middle, topics are spoken about that quite honestly open my ears alot.
For example, on the subject of Death and how to deal with its unknown arrival, Morrie makes a point that is first surprising, but then understandable. He says " When you learn how to die, you leanrn how to live" (pg. 82). This to me is a very strong statment. At first thought, death could actually be a very scary thing. i know it was for me as I was younger. However, it's wrong to take a big chunk of your life to be scared of death. So, Morrie's point is that once you come to terms with death, which is its not that bad and its gonna happen reagradless, you should just accept it and be happy with your life until its over.
Another example, which is pretty similar to the first one, was morrie's insight on aging. Similar to death itself, aging to some people could be a fearful thought. Most people would probably like to stay young forever. However, Morrie states that this isn't the best way to go, and there is in fact great benefit from aging. " it's very simple. As you grow, you learn more. If you stayed at twenty-two, you'd be as ignorant as you were at twenty-two. Aging is not just decay, you know. it's growth"(pg. 118). This statment really doea alot for me. There's no doubt that there are times where I miss my childhood. But if i had an actual chance, there would be NO way I'd give up growing up just to stay young forever. Growing up to me is exciting, its fun.
A third topic that was disscussed in "Tuesdays with Morrie" was how money can't be a dependent substitute for happiness, for life. People may look as money as a way out. Its not just money, some people turn to drugs, alchohol, working too much, etc. There's always another way out in peoples minds, but their wrong. Love and tenderness, according to Morrie,l is the way to go. "Money is not a substitute for tenderness and power is not a substitute for tenderness. I can tell you, I'm sitting here dying, when you most need it, neither money nor powerwill give you the feeling you're looking for, no matter how much of them you have" (pg. 125). This quote to me, makes a huge point. People may take some of lifes "treasures" as the real treasures for the soul, but really, they're fakes. Love and tenderness, the real thing, from family, friends and significant others are the way to go. You may also have that one goal in life that you want to accomplish to badly, its all about the LOVE for it. This basically says that you can't take things for granted and shouldn't be fooled and that listening to your heart is the way to go.
For example, on the subject of Death and how to deal with its unknown arrival, Morrie makes a point that is first surprising, but then understandable. He says " When you learn how to die, you leanrn how to live" (pg. 82). This to me is a very strong statment. At first thought, death could actually be a very scary thing. i know it was for me as I was younger. However, it's wrong to take a big chunk of your life to be scared of death. So, Morrie's point is that once you come to terms with death, which is its not that bad and its gonna happen reagradless, you should just accept it and be happy with your life until its over.
Another example, which is pretty similar to the first one, was morrie's insight on aging. Similar to death itself, aging to some people could be a fearful thought. Most people would probably like to stay young forever. However, Morrie states that this isn't the best way to go, and there is in fact great benefit from aging. " it's very simple. As you grow, you learn more. If you stayed at twenty-two, you'd be as ignorant as you were at twenty-two. Aging is not just decay, you know. it's growth"(pg. 118). This statment really doea alot for me. There's no doubt that there are times where I miss my childhood. But if i had an actual chance, there would be NO way I'd give up growing up just to stay young forever. Growing up to me is exciting, its fun.
A third topic that was disscussed in "Tuesdays with Morrie" was how money can't be a dependent substitute for happiness, for life. People may look as money as a way out. Its not just money, some people turn to drugs, alchohol, working too much, etc. There's always another way out in peoples minds, but their wrong. Love and tenderness, according to Morrie,l is the way to go. "Money is not a substitute for tenderness and power is not a substitute for tenderness. I can tell you, I'm sitting here dying, when you most need it, neither money nor powerwill give you the feeling you're looking for, no matter how much of them you have" (pg. 125). This quote to me, makes a huge point. People may take some of lifes "treasures" as the real treasures for the soul, but really, they're fakes. Love and tenderness, the real thing, from family, friends and significant others are the way to go. You may also have that one goal in life that you want to accomplish to badly, its all about the LOVE for it. This basically says that you can't take things for granted and shouldn't be fooled and that listening to your heart is the way to go.
HW 21b - Comments
Willie,
I liked your post overall. First, you picked out parts of the guest speakers speech that caught your attention and were significant to your own personal experiences. Then I also liked how you actually shared the persoanl experience of losing your grandfather. To me, who also lost family members including my grandfather too, its good to go through the same experience in order to really understand what people are talking about when referring to the topic of Death and illness
Larche,
I liked reading your post. You picked out parts of Beth's speech that personally interested you and then you gave your own personal insight on different topics she spoke about and expanded them into your own ideas. Good job.
I liked your post overall. First, you picked out parts of the guest speakers speech that caught your attention and were significant to your own personal experiences. Then I also liked how you actually shared the persoanl experience of losing your grandfather. To me, who also lost family members including my grandfather too, its good to go through the same experience in order to really understand what people are talking about when referring to the topic of Death and illness
Larche,
I liked reading your post. You picked out parts of Beth's speech that personally interested you and then you gave your own personal insight on different topics she spoke about and expanded them into your own ideas. Good job.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
HW 22 - Illness & Dying Book Part 1
In my opinion, whether you're reading a book, watching tv or just anything that involves someone OTHER than you, it's really easy NOT to be attentive to their situation. However, although it's not YOUR situation, if their situation somehow connects to yourself, you'd most likely then be interested in paying attention. This is exactly what happned to me as I started reading my new group book "Tuesdays with Morrie". I connected this book to death in my life, knowing how it felt to lose a loved one made it that much easier to get hooked on the story in this book.
So far in the book, one small part that really caught my attention was a point in which the main character, Mitch, was helping another character, Morrie, get into his chair. Once Mitch started to lift him, he described feeling the seeds of death at Morries touch. This to me is deep, because it shows that when it comes to death, the ones actually going through it aren't the only ones suffering, maybe they're suffering the most, but they're not the only ones.
his book so far has been a great read for me (which is saying something because im not much of reading books daily). So I look forward to see what other thoughts and ideas this book could have in store for me
So far in the book, one small part that really caught my attention was a point in which the main character, Mitch, was helping another character, Morrie, get into his chair. Once Mitch started to lift him, he described feeling the seeds of death at Morries touch. This to me is deep, because it shows that when it comes to death, the ones actually going through it aren't the only ones suffering, maybe they're suffering the most, but they're not the only ones.
his book so far has been a great read for me (which is saying something because im not much of reading books daily). So I look forward to see what other thoughts and ideas this book could have in store for me
HW 21 - Expert #1
It was truly an honor to have Beth come in as a class guest to talk about her pesonal experiences she went through with the sickness and passing of her husband. Most people usually aren't too comfortable talking about such a topic, so for that alone, i appreciate her courage and strength. In addition to this, it was an overall great experience to hear her story in order to get someones insight and personal experience with Illness and Death. Although I too went through having loved ones lost with Illness and Death, it was a good experience to hear someone else's story, points of view, etc.
After she shared everything that she and her husband went through leading up to his unfortunate passing, I asked the first question, which asked if she felt that her views on sickness and death changed from before her husband's Illness compared to after his death. Her answer basically stated that overall, you just can't take life for granted. Not only your life, but you should appreciate others too. I liked how she mentioned how giving out a comment could truly make someones day ina bigger way than we could imagine. After thinking about it, I relaized she was right and that it's very important to be nice to those you come across in life, whether it'd be loved ones, strangers, etc.
Being that I can relate to Illness and Death from having dealt with multiple passings of loved ones, I can truly say that the experience truly made me feel like a stronger person, beyond the subject itself. It makes me realize that there is indeed a line between life and death, and that people should cherish everything they have AND could have. Not exactly, but in some way, Life is a race, and we just have to keep up, accomplish goals, love our loved ones, build and keep friendships, and just live life because sooner or later, it will truly be over.
After she shared everything that she and her husband went through leading up to his unfortunate passing, I asked the first question, which asked if she felt that her views on sickness and death changed from before her husband's Illness compared to after his death. Her answer basically stated that overall, you just can't take life for granted. Not only your life, but you should appreciate others too. I liked how she mentioned how giving out a comment could truly make someones day ina bigger way than we could imagine. After thinking about it, I relaized she was right and that it's very important to be nice to those you come across in life, whether it'd be loved ones, strangers, etc.
Being that I can relate to Illness and Death from having dealt with multiple passings of loved ones, I can truly say that the experience truly made me feel like a stronger person, beyond the subject itself. It makes me realize that there is indeed a line between life and death, and that people should cherish everything they have AND could have. Not exactly, but in some way, Life is a race, and we just have to keep up, accomplish goals, love our loved ones, build and keep friendships, and just live life because sooner or later, it will truly be over.
Monday, December 6, 2010
HW 19 - Family Perspectives on Illness & Dying
When looking for different POV's on Illness and Dying, I thought of nothing other than the possible ideas coming from my family, the people I'm closest to. I'd figure with the ideas and beliefs I have personally, those of family members couldn't be any different. in fact, I figured their ideas would expand my own.
When asking my mother about her thoughts of Illness and Dying, she generally had this to say: "Illness and Dying in general, although sad and tragic, is just apart of Life. Death is indeed the end of Life, but the beginning of something new, something we don't know about, but will find out when we DO die".
When asking my sister about her thoughts on Illness and Dying, she had this to say: "It's scary, it affects not only the people who are sick, but their loved ones too. It sucked seeing Pop (our grandfather) get sick and when he passed, it was sad. When someone gets sick, even though that person gets the worst of it, those who care about that person get affected as well".
When asking my dad about his thoughts on Illness and Dying, he had this to say: "It's apart of life. You're born, go to school, work, maybe get married, have kids, retire, then eventually die. That's the basic cycle of Life".
Hearing these different POV's from my family, nothing really changes for me. it DOES however, make me think about Illness and Dying in general more. People are all going to have their own opinions about Illness and Death. I don't know about Illness, but in terms of Death, I believe you only find out the truth of course, when you die.
When asking my mother about her thoughts of Illness and Dying, she generally had this to say: "Illness and Dying in general, although sad and tragic, is just apart of Life. Death is indeed the end of Life, but the beginning of something new, something we don't know about, but will find out when we DO die".
When asking my sister about her thoughts on Illness and Dying, she had this to say: "It's scary, it affects not only the people who are sick, but their loved ones too. It sucked seeing Pop (our grandfather) get sick and when he passed, it was sad. When someone gets sick, even though that person gets the worst of it, those who care about that person get affected as well".
When asking my dad about his thoughts on Illness and Dying, he had this to say: "It's apart of life. You're born, go to school, work, maybe get married, have kids, retire, then eventually die. That's the basic cycle of Life".
Hearing these different POV's from my family, nothing really changes for me. it DOES however, make me think about Illness and Dying in general more. People are all going to have their own opinions about Illness and Death. I don't know about Illness, but in terms of Death, I believe you only find out the truth of course, when you die.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
HW 18 - Health & Illness & Feasting
This years Thanksgiving, I wasn't able to experience the yearly tradition of being with family, and enjoying the traditional foods that the holiday is associated with. Instead, I ended up working on Thanksgiving night. I work as a concierge for a building on 72nd street. So i was constantly watching people arrive and leave, all in anticipation to spend time with their loved ones and the celebrate this special holiday. I wasn't entirely out of luck though, as i was working the same shift as my father, which in my eyes is better than nothing.
But being that I remember every other Thanksgiving I celebrated, I could state that I was heavily involved with the yearly tradition that the holiday brings to us with eating, being with family, etc. Also, i can most definitly connect this holiday to Death.
Although I heard from family members that this year was yet another great holiday, this year was kind of awkward and different from the rest. This year was the first year that 2 family members were absent due to them passing away lasy year, one of them, right around Thanksgiving. Because of this situation, it brings new meaning to tradition of the holidays, at least specfically my family. Thanksgiving is about being thankful for many things. In my family, family itself and Life are two things that were held especailly close this year, due to personal experience. It pretty much falls into place, because whether or not people have had deaths happen to loved ones, this holiday and other holidays pays tribute to togetherness, love and appreciation.
So while food is in fact one of the main topics Thanksgiving has to look at, not only is there other topics existing, there were alot more important topics that my family paid more attention to this year. So in a way, Thanksgiving is a blessing in itself, because a night of good food and being with family is the only excuse you need to be togtehr with loved ones and a symbolic way to say, "I'm thankful".
But being that I remember every other Thanksgiving I celebrated, I could state that I was heavily involved with the yearly tradition that the holiday brings to us with eating, being with family, etc. Also, i can most definitly connect this holiday to Death.
Although I heard from family members that this year was yet another great holiday, this year was kind of awkward and different from the rest. This year was the first year that 2 family members were absent due to them passing away lasy year, one of them, right around Thanksgiving. Because of this situation, it brings new meaning to tradition of the holidays, at least specfically my family. Thanksgiving is about being thankful for many things. In my family, family itself and Life are two things that were held especailly close this year, due to personal experience. It pretty much falls into place, because whether or not people have had deaths happen to loved ones, this holiday and other holidays pays tribute to togetherness, love and appreciation.
So while food is in fact one of the main topics Thanksgiving has to look at, not only is there other topics existing, there were alot more important topics that my family paid more attention to this year. So in a way, Thanksgiving is a blessing in itself, because a night of good food and being with family is the only excuse you need to be togtehr with loved ones and a symbolic way to say, "I'm thankful".
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