What impacted ME in this book
Morrie is someone who is telling you not only what matters more when you are nearing the end but encourages you strongly to give a second thought to what you are doing.
Emotions
The only way we can learn to have control over an emotion is to live through it. Let it flow through you. Only then, would you know, what it is like and only and only then would you be able to recognize the feeling attached to it, to be able to stop it. It is Ok to be fearful. If you are hurt by something from your past then its Ok to open the faucet and let the hurt come in. When you go through it, you can start understanding and recognizing ways to accept it and move on.
Ageing
It is nice to age. Because you have already done things that youth is crazy about doing. Now, you understand things that you were not able to in your youth. You are wiser. People can’t take advantage of you like they did when you were young and raw. You are not as ignorant now as you were when you were young. This also brings the feeling that one day you are going to die. That thought brings in wisdom.
Money
Money is required. What needs to be checked is if you are trying to fill the void of attention, appreciation and love by gobbling up stuff. Rather than this what brings more satisfaction is offering others what you can give. Couple of lines from the book lay it out aptly –
"There are plenty of places to do this. You don’t need to have a big talent. There are lonely people in hospitals and shelters who only want some companionship. You play cards with a lonely older man and you find new respect for yourself, because you are needed."
"Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning"
"You notice," Morrie added, grinning, "there’s nothing in there about a salary."
Love, relationships
Don’t be afraid to love, bond, invest in relationships. Even after death, relationships live on and thus with death, life ends but relationships don’t.
Overall, Morrie talks about the importance of family, relationships, love and emphasizes that these are really THE important questions in life to ponder over and work on.
This book left me with a feeling of warmth.