Make sure to read this book when you’re in your mid 30s

“Tuesdays with Morrie: An old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lessons” by Mitch Albom

Sometimes, books have a weird way to reach out to us. I bought this book 15 years ago and never had the chance to read it, with the book eventually got buried in my pile of unread books for more than a decade. When I move house, I didn’t even bring this book along with the other books that I have.

Since that faithful day I bought the book, I graduated university, got a job, went to a grad school, got another job, got married, have kids, and now I’m at the exact same age as Mitch Albom was when he started regularly visiting Morrie on Tuesdays.

And then few days ago, all of a sudden something I read or heard on podcast (I can’t recollect precisely) made me strongly remember this book. A book that I’ve never read, a book that I even forgot existed. You know that saying, when the student is ready the teacher will appear? I guess I’m now ready to read this book.

And my God how profound this book is. Through the dusty and now brown-ish pages of the book, lies some of the most relatable wisdom that I need right now at this particular stage of life, something that I wouldn’t be able to appreciate or comprehend in 2005.

It is so rich in good old fashioned values, which sets the baseline for “back to basics” principles. It separates the clear lines between what we need and what we want. It is about respect to people, and how to open up and establish rapport even with mental health patients. It is about setting our priorities straight in life.

It is also about how to cope with death, and the degenerating process beforehand. It shows the perspective of a dying old man and his several regrets that make you think and reflect. And ultimately, it is about a great human being and his timeless life lessons.

Mitch Albom was lucky to have had a teacher like Morrie. Judging from the book, everyone who ever crossed path with Morrie most probably could testify that they too were fortunate. While I don’t know where life will take us in the future, but to try to live life like Morrie would be nothing less than a lifelong pursue of excellence.

I am empty, and I am full.