For instance, Mitch graduates from collage, begins his career, and lets his work consume him. Morrie asks if he had found someone to share his heart with, if he was giving to his community, and if he was at peace with himself. Mitch wonders what happened to him and is embarrassed (34). In reality what happened to Mitch is what has happened too many before; he went to work and left behind the ideals and dreams he developed as a young man. Instead of doing what was important he chose to become important. Morrie also talks the importance knowing you are. The lack of self-understanding leads to many problems in life including choice of life partner (148), inability to find meaning in your life (136), and an insatiable need for things (125). Connections

These are a few of the ideas expressed in the book that resonated with me.

Strong interpersonal communication is necessary to the success of intimate relationships. Respect, compromise, open communication about the events that occur between you, and a common set of values are vital ingredients in a happy marriage. My parents were divorced and I still live with the consequences of that event.

I liked advice Morrie gives Mitch on how to lead your life. I too believe that it is only through devotion to others that our lives gain meaning. Relationships are everything and by building strong ones we give our lives purpose. Mitch acknowledged that he had let the connections he had established in collage, including his relationship with Morrie lapse, and that he felt unsatisfied with...

It is important thing is offering other what we have to give, and our most precious personal possession is or time. Demonstrating concern and sharing our stories with others adds meaning and value to our lives.
If we have established and maintained strong relationships and we feel our life has meaning there is no need to fear aging. If there is no need to fear aging then there is no need to fear death. Morrie tells Mitch that as long as we love each other we can die without ever really going away. The love we create never really goes away. We live on in the hearts and minds of those we have touched and nurtured while we were here.

Implications

I want to establish and build intimate relationships based on respect, and open communication. This is important in order to build lasting intimate relationships. I make this recommendation to myself because I don't wish to recreate the experiences associated with divorce.

I want to give my time to others in my community. Through this my life will gain meaning and purpose. When I am old I would like to look back and be able to say that my existence made a difference.

I want to be able to forgive myself had others for their transgressions. In the long run holding on to negative feelings is usually more damaging than the event. I would like to reestablish and strengthen certain relationships in my family.

Works Cited

Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man a Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson. New York: Doubleday, 1997.