Book Review: Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

Yes, I just recently read this book. My sister used to force me to read the book way back in high school and I was just like, 'No. I'm not reading that thick of a book.' Well, I was a kid back then and I hated reading. I've read Mitch Albom's Five People You Meet In Heaven though and it was so moving, I felt like it changed my perspective about life. This time, once again, Albom didn't disappoint me with this one, t'was very heartwarming.

The book is based on real life situation by the author himself. The book tells the dying days of Albom's professor, Morrison 'Morrie' Schwartz who was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Mitch, the author, is his student, who lost in touch with him and has become successful sports news writer. They reunite on a Tuesday when Mitch finally decided to see the dying Morrie and since then, they meet on Tuesdays to talk about life and death. 

I cried after reading just the five pages of the book. I felt sorry and nervous for Morrie when he found out he got diagnosed of ALS. It made me think if my clumsiness would turn to be this kind of disease later on. Honestly, I'm really clumsy, I often get tripped over nothing or accidentally drop things. I lose my balance easily and sometimes, I mispronounced the syllables of a word. I don't know if this is serious or I'm just being pessimistic. 

Back to this review, I enjoyed reading the book so much, mainly because of its heartwarming message:

When you learn how to die, you learn how to live. 

Ironic may it seems but I believe it is true. I've been asked hypothetical questions like this, 'What if it's your last day today?' I usually answer, 'I want to tour around the world.' or 'I will rob a mall or a bank since I'd be gone the day after that anyway.' Right now, I realize how shallow I was. Just like what Morrie said, people chase after things that aren't equally important as the value of life. I was one of those people. Because I am still young, I often heard people telling me to go out and have fun, but I am not really having fun with loud music or crowded people. I find happiness when I'm just all by myself. I guess that's the good thing of being an introvert. But still, if I am talking to Morrie right now, he wouldn't be happy.

While I was reading the book, I felt like Morrie was speaking to me as well. What he taught me in this book, is to be compassionate and that's what I lack big time, probably the worst part of being an introvert. I'm not an affectionate person but I'm working on it right now because I fear of that day when I could no longer express my feelings. I don't want to be someone the people used to know, and just like that.

Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to create something that gives you purpose and meaning.  

The book will make you realize what a meaningful life truly is. So if you haven't read this, then you're missing a good book.