“Tuesdays with Morrie” and the Meaning of Life
Death is inevitable. From the moment we are born, an invisible clock begins ticking, counting down the days until our time on this Earth ends. We are left to ponder the impossible question — how should one live when they are unaware of when it will end?
Although daunting, this question must guide our choices. Too often, we find ourselves on autopilot, moving through the motions of our days, unaware of our own fragility and assuming that there is always more time. But eventually, we are reminded of our mortality. Perhaps it is through a friend, a teacher or a book — something that shakes us from our stupor and reminds us of what truly matters. For me, that reminder came in the form of Mitch Albom’s “Tuesdays with Morrie.”
“Tuesdays with Morrie” follows Mitch Albom’s own experience in navigating the imminent death of his beloved college professor, Morrie Schwartz. The story is short and straightforward; the profound lessons imparted on the reader are told in raw, sincere terms, without the weight of complex vocabulary or ornate prose. In fact, Albom calls his mentor by his first name, showcasing the candid nature of their relationship. The book’s simplicity is its strength, allowing Morrie’s lessons on the importance of love and acceptance of death to truly shine through.
Albom frames the story through flashbacks and present-day visits, inviting the reader to grasp the depth of his relationship with Morrie and the urgency of their final meetings. They are first introduced in a sociology class during Albom’s freshman year of college. He immediately gravitates towards Morrie and, over the course of his college career, Albom and Morrie cultivate a friendship, often meeting outside the classroom to discuss life. By graduation, Albom is inspired by Morrie to chase his dream of becoming a famous musician. Yet, Albom writes that “after several years of dark, empty nightclubs, broken promises, bands that kept breaking up and producers who seemed excited about everyone but me, the dream soured.”
Albom loses touch with Morrie and becomes consumed by career ambitions and financial success, disregarding his dreams as too difficult and unrealistic. After many years have passed, Albom is casually flipping through TV channels when he unexpectedly hears his old professor’s name.
Morrie, a vibrant old man now in his seventies, is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating and fatal neurological disorder. Instead of letting this diagnosis inhibit him further, Morrie is determined to squeeze the marrow out of his remaining days, sharing his insights on life with his family and friends. These “bite-sized” philosophies attract the attention of a television producer who wishes to interview Morrie, where they discuss his ability to reframe his thoughts instead of feeling consumed by his fatal diagnosis. It is through this interview that Albom is reacquainted with his beloved professor’s familiar life lessons.
Albom immediately books a flight to visit his professor, and, over the course of the next few months, he returns to Morrie’s house every Tuesday. Each visit, Morrie offers his philosophy on life and death, provoking Albom to reexamine his own priorities. Over time, Morrie’s condition deteriorates, but he retains his vibrant demeanor and zest for life until the very end, inspiring both Albom and the reader.
Throughout the book, Albom records Morrie’s “bite-sized” philosophies: small truths distilled from a lifetime of reflection. “Accept who you are; and revel in it”; “Love wins, love always wins”; “There is no such thing as ‘too late’ in life”; “If you've found meaning in your life, you don’t want to go back. You want to go forward.” These aphorisms are sprinkled through the narrative, allowing readers to introspect while they follow the narrative.
One lesson that struck me deeply occurs early on in the book. Morrie and Albom discuss how misguided individuals’ priorities often are. People tend to focus on fleeting, material pursuits while neglecting meaningful relationships and lasting purpose. In the face of death, Morrie truly understands what matters most, and he shares these valuable insights with Albom. “‘Everyone knows they’re going to die,’ he said again, ‘but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently.’” This quote captures one of the book’s main themes: that confronting and accepting death is the only true way to live. Once we acknowledge the finite nature of human life, argues Morrie, we feel liberated and motivated to focus on the important things, such as love, emotional honesty, forgiveness and helping others — leaving trivial matters behind.
As Morrie’s condition deteriorates, his lessons grow more urgent and honest. He does not hold back as he discusses life’s hardest questions with Albom, and the narrative is incredibly moving. During one of their final meetings, Morrie declares, “Forgive yourself before you die. Then forgive others.” Morrie explains that out of all of the things he regrets in his life, vengeance and stubbornness weigh him down the most. He stresses the importance of moving on instead of letting past experiences hold an individual back. Morrie wishes he spent less time holding grudges and is unafraid to share candid reflections with Albom. Eventually, Morrie passes away peacefully, leaving Albom to ponder the lifetime of lessons he received in the span of a few months.
For Albom, these conversations were a wake-up call, urging him to reevaluate his life and reorient his priorities — from chasing career success and wealth to focusing on genuine relationships and personal growth. By turning his experience into a story, Albom spreads this wake-up call to each and every individual who reads “Tuesdays with Morrie.”
As college students, we face overwhelming pressure. We are expected to devote ourselves entirely to our schoolwork, taking on heavy courseloads and endless extracurricular activities, all in the hopes of attaining a prestigious career and a high salary. In the midst of this whirlwind, it is difficult to keep sight of what will remain beyond our resumes and careers. “Tuesdays with Morrie” reminds us of life’s fleeting nature, and through that reminder, inspires us to search for a deeper purpose. Through Morrie and Albom’s thought-provoking discussions, the reader comes to understand that while a successful career is valuable, it cannot be the measure of a life. What matters most is the love we give and receive, the good we accomplish and the positive mark we make on the world.
We will never know how much time is left on our invisible clock, but Morrie’s final lesson is clear: Do not waste your precious time on what does not last.
Photo Caption: From the moment we are born, an invisible clock begins ticking
Photo Credit: Jon Tyson / Unsplash
