Books are the most quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest counselors, and the most patient teachers."--Charles William Eliot
And I found the book that I can totally speaks of the quote of Charles William Eliot, and that is "Tuesdays with Morrie".
*Image credited to comouflagedwhispers
"Tuesdays With Morrie", the book that speaks more that every pages, a reflection of life and its syllabus.
The book, "Tuesdays with Morrie", is the first book that I bought while I was in Hong Kong, more of an "impulsive buying" since I bought in a music record store (HMV), with another book(same author, Mitch Albom) for an amount that I can not remember. The other book with it is, "The Five People You Meet In Heaven"
Little did I know, it will be the start of becoming a fan of Mitch Albom and buying his books.
And this year, mark's book's 20th anniversary.
Books of Mitch Albom
*Image is Mine.
But what is Tuesdays with Morrie?
"Tuesdays with Morrie" is a memoire, written by Mitch Albom for his sociology professor name Morrie Schwartz, who died from ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
But before his death, the former student (Mitch Albom), had become a student again of Morrie, 16 years after and the classes was held every Tuesdays, hence the title and in Morrie's house(their classroom). Their classes had also become the catching up time.
The book topped the New York Times Non-Fiction Best Sellers of 2000. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuesdays_with_Morrie) and the book was later recreated and aired in the year 1999.
The syllabus, and life's lessons and what I learn.
There are so many things that I learn from the book, that I never thought I could be using it for my personal reflection after how many years and it made me go back to that "classroom" like Mitch Albom did, and made me feel that Morrie had been my teacher too.
And here are some of where lines I have connected to my life's happening throughout the years.
Death ends life, not the relationship."
When my sister died last January 2013, it is the "line" that I quote during her interment. At the age of 25, my sister's very untimely death, it broke our heart, family and friends, and her students too. The young, bubbly personality had left us, but with the line from the book, I cope with it, kept my sister in the deepest part of my heart, like she is still alive.
That even after death of our loved one, we should continue to love each other, show compassion to others.
There is no such thing as "too late" in life"
There will never be too late for me.
The lesson I learned from this is, I have cried, grieved over the deaths of my parents and my sister, there are words that has been left unspoken that made me feel that regret. Wished I have done more.
But then, I still have my other siblings. Find time to spend more time with them, show how much I love them every now and then, and that makes me feel, somehow, I "catch up" with my parents and my sister through them.
Don't let go too soon, but don't hang on too long"
It is okay not to "move on" yet, take the pain, have the negative feelings penetrate in your heart, but then, you have to breathe out too.
The negative feelings that is in you, let it go too, like the resentment that had live in me for years, it made me see that there is more in this life to see. I can not be selfish to myself.
Learn how to die, and you learn how to live"
Pre-occupied with many things, sometimes I take things for granted and missed a lot of "shows" that tells me how wonderful the world is.
The beautiful sunrise every morning, that simple flower in the garden.
What if I death take me anytime?
It is the realization of I should be appreciating everything. Saying "Thank yous" to those who did good, and at the same time do the kindest thing I can offer to thers as well. And that makes feel of what is living.
And leaving without appreciating the good things is not a good feeling.
I give myself a good cry if I need it. But hen I concentrate on the good things still in my life. I don't allow myself anymore self-pity than that. A little each of every morning, a few tears, and that's all"
I admit, I do cry a lot. There were mornings that I felt I need to cry, call me sentimental but this is I am.
Holding back the tears will cause more pain in my heart, and after shedding tears, I felt lighter than ever. The tears have somehow acted as my "cleanser".
Next time you feel like crying, just go. Don't hold it back. Cry a river if you want to.
The truth is, when our mothers held us, rocked us, stroked our heads--none of us got enought that. We all yearn in some way to return to those days, when we were completely taken care of--unconditional love, unconditional attention"
This line made me go back and see how much I have been loved by our mother.
Knowing there were times that I hadn't been a good daughter when she was alive, but her love was the purest that I have seen. Mothers has that love to their children, though some are not seeing that kind of love, but we have to remember that most mothers do love their children.
Offering others what you can give"
What can I give?
Money?
I don't have that much, but I have the time.
Time that I can lend to those who need some help to their jobs. Lending a hand if I can and at the same time, giving what I know too.
That is what we can give too to others.
One of the quotes on the book
*Image is credited to Morrie Schwartz' quotes
Recommendation
All of us have gone through, or maybe going through tough times, that world feels like it is hitting us hard, I would definitely reccomend you to take time, read the book.
It will make you see what is more to life, not just about hardships, pains, cruelness.
Aside from that, it also make you see if there is someone you missed and miss that you hadn't get in touch for a long time, just like Mitch and Morrie. May it be a friend from college, or a professor too. Reconnect with them and reminisce what are the greatest memories you had.
This is Morrie doing what he loves and that is dancing.
*Image is credited to Alchetron
This is where Morrie was laid to rest
*Image is credited to Thinglink
Video interview of Mitch Albom.
*Video credited to youtube via CBS
Video interview of Morrie Schwartz
*Video credited to youtube via Mike.
