"Do I wither up and disappear, or do i make the best of my time left? he asked himself. He would not wither. He would not be ashamed of dying." Page 10

This was Morrie's big question when learning of his illness. When knowing he would have to face the challenges of Alzheimer's, he chose the route that would lead him to appreciate all that he had. This is a question many may face one day, and the answer is to always keep fighting, do NOT wither.

"He told his friends that if they really wanted to help him, they would treat him not with sympathy but with visits" Page 12

While awaiting his demise, he wanted to fulfill his time with those he cared about. He wanted to share all the experience he could. By welcoming in loved ones, he created an atmosphere filled with positivity during the worst time of his long life. Doing away with, the "oh I am so sorries" and the "I will miss you's" and giving the gift of true last memories.

"I did what I had become best at doing: I tended to my work, even while my dying professor waited on his front lawn. I am not proud of this, but that is what I did" (Mitch speaking). Page 27

This is something that occurs to many people, and is also something that must be paid attention to. Work is important, but you have to remember to not allow it to take over your life, causing you to miss the important parts of life. You become selfish, as you are focusing on YOUR goals, and to an extent it is beneficial, but you must balance what is deep within your heart and achieve both success and contain love while sharing it.

"I traded lots of dreams for a bigger paycheck, and I never even realized I was doing it." (Mitch speaking) Page 33.

Money has become one of the most important things in life to strive for. And the dreams you held onto, may easily slip away because you simply wanted the job that paid more. Reading this, it really stuck out to me as I have always promised myself I would not do a job that also was not apart of my dreams. I will not relinquish my dreams for money. Nor should anyone else.

"My days were full, yet I remained, much of the time, unsatisfied. What happened to me?"( Mitch speaking)(Morrie speaking) "Well, for one thing, the culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. We're teaching the wrong things. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it. Create your own. Most people can't do it. They're more unhappy than me-- even in my current condition" Page 36

In terms of culture, Morrie is speaking of how society tells people to buy, buy, buy and that we need these certain materialistic items to fit in. As for Mitch, he was following a path that was not making him happy in life being a journalist and chasing stories he did not quite care for. By saying "if the culture does not work, do not buy it" Morrie is simply saying, to be yourself. To stand above what everything and everyone says, and do what truly makes you feel fulfilled.

The tension of opposites; "Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn't. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted." Page 40

Similarly to the famous philosopher's, Heraclitus', idea of how nature worked together and his idea of unity of opposites, Morrie held a similar view. In life there is often a tension of opposites where as you may want to do one thing, but must do another. It is a common human trait, but is something valuable to keep an eye out for. It may help to calm nerves about certain situations.

The tension of opposites; "so which side wins, I ask?                                               'which side wins?'                                                 He smiles at me, the crinkled eyes, the crooked teeth.                                                'Love wins. Love always wins" Page 40

You know the saying, "follow your heart"... well Morrie said it best! No matter what the tension of opposites is, in the end you will follow your heart. Love will win over anything because it is the strongest of the emotions.

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning" Page 43

The best example of this would be high school. Whether you were an A+ student or an F student, there was at least a few times that you wandered through the halls feeling as if you were half asleep. Or when you are going to that part time job you hate and the days seem to blend together. In life, to feel fulfilled, you have to stay awake, mentally and physically. You have to find things to tantalize your mind, and you have to remember to stop and make sure you're living life awake. Whether you need a pinch or not, stop day dreaming, open your eyes, and live life for you. Pay attention to the small, valuable things, embrace every moment you can.

"Now that I am suffering, I feel closer to people who suffer than I ever did before" Page 50

As a young child, I would laugh as my mom cried as she watched tv shows, or saw sad commercials. I still do not feel that sense of deep compassion towards others that Morrie felt in this time. But in a way, it makes complete and utter sense as that once you learn life, and suffering you grow to feel for the pain of others. This is a great example of learning compassion through out life.

"Maybe death is the great equalizer, the one big thing that can finally make strangers shed a tear for one another" Page 51

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and let it come in." Page 52

In a world that is filled with so much anger, and death, and tragedy, it is important to remember to hold love in your heart and to spread it. Sometimes, all that grumpy person needs is someone to brighten their day. While doing this, you will also make yourself feel happy. This quote also goes to anyone who has been hurt, and has set up walls to protect their emotions. No matter how scared of getting hurt you may be, you have to learn this or you will never truly be happy in life. You may feel that you are lacking something in life.

"His voice dropped to a whisper. 'Let it come in. We think we don't deserve love, we think that if we let it in we'll become too soft. But a wise man named Levine said it right. He said, 'Love is the only rational act.'He repeated it carefully, pausing for effect. 'Love is the only rational act' " Page 52

Read this. Now read it again. Remember this. Remember how valuable love is. Do not push it away, everyone deserves love, and everyone deserves to embrace it fully.

"Why are we embarrassed by silence? What comfort do we find in all the noise?"Page 53

Silence is very enjoyable when I am alone, in my own personal opinion. But think about it, why do people get so uncomfortable by awkward silences, or how you may turn the TV up if you are home alone and hear a strange noise. By fulfilling the area with sound, it eliminates you from having to focus on your thoughts, as your mind may run wild. Silence is a beautiful thing, sometimes we forget to appreciate it.

"I give myself a good cry if I need it. But then I concentrate on all the good things still in my life... Mitch, I don't allow myself any more self-pity than that. A little each morning, a few tears, and that's all... It's only horrible if you see it that way,' Morrie said. 'It's horrible to watch my body slowly wilt away to nothing. But it's also wonderful because of all the time I get to say good-bye." Page 57

For a man to be dying, and carry this much grace, this instills much sadness in my heart. Towards myself and anyone who, unfortunately, allow their emotions to get the best of them and ruin their day this is a good reminder that you can over come your problems. They are not as painful or bad as you may think, even if you feel your heart is being torn out of your chest, you can not allow yourself to sit their in pity. Accept how you feel, and than work to make yourself feel better.

"You see,' he says to the girl, 'you closed your eyes. That was the difference. Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel. And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them, too- even when you're falling." Page 61

During one of Morrie's classes, he conducted a trust fall activity. And as everyone was scared, the one girl finally stood up, closed her eyes, and trusted she would be caught. In trusting her senses, and trusting herself, she was able to trust others. This is a great lesson to keep in he back of the mind.

"we all need teachers in our lives." Page 65"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." -- Henry Adams quoted on page 79

As we all need teachers, we also all have them. Whether you are still in school or not. A person can grow to be anyone's teacher. Personally, for me, this piece is actually in dedication to the teacher who influenced me to no end, and because of his influence I will one day spread all that he taught me. With out teachers, we would be no where. Teacher's are the reason we can thrive in life. Whether they are incredible, kind, strict, or mean a teacher can change the way you see the world, and can help you change the world for yourself.

"Koppel imagined the two men together one day, one unable to speak, the other unable to hear. What would that be like?'We will hold hands,' Morrie said. "And there'll be a lot of love passing between us. Ted, we've had thirty-five years of friendship. You don't need speech or hearing to feel that." Page 71

Ted Koppel was a journalist who interviewed Morrie during his time of slowly dying. And during this time, Morrie mentioned his friend who was going deaf when Koppel asked him this question. Morrie's answer is what struck me. Friendship bonds and true love can persevere through anything. You do not need words when you have the power of love.

"Morrie,' Koppel said, 'that was seventy years ago your mother died. The pain still goes on?''You bet.' Morrie whispered." Page 72

This touched me deeply, as I lost my mother at a young age. And many people told me that it'd get better or easier. And in a way it does, but than there are certain things that as time goes on you will grow to miss parts of them terribly. Losing someone will always hurt, as love is strong.

"Mitch,' he said, laughing along, 'even I don't know what "spiritual development" really means. But I do know we're deficient in some way. We are too involved in materialistic things, and they don't satisfy us. The loving relationships we have, the universe around us, we take these things for granted." Page 84

Morrie lived a life before IPhones, and fancy lap tops were popular. People's faces were not shoved into their phones, and I think that if he saw life now he probably would have told Mitch to have put this quote in all capital letters for importance. I am even guilty, no matter how hard I try I take things for granted, but to remember to focus on the true important things in life, such as love, relationships, nature. Rather than worrying about the materialistic items people prize so highly.

"The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground, upon which people may stand today if it isn't the family. It's become quite clear to me as I've been sick. If you don't have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don't have much at all. Love is so supremely important. As our great poet Auden said, 'Love each other or perish.' " Page 91

I wanted to highlight "love each other or perish", but Morrie's statement felt more valuable to put in as a whole, because love truly is supremely important.

"What I'm doing now,' he continued, his eyes still closed, 'is detaching myself from the experience.' (Morrie talking)'Detaching yourself?' (Mitch talking)'Yes. Detaching myself. And this is important- not just for someone like me, who is dying, but for someone like you, who is perfectly healthy. Learn to detach.'He opened his eyes. He exhaled. 'You know what the Buddhhists say? Don't cling to things, because everything is impermanent.' (Morrie talking) But wait, I said. Aren't you always talking about experiencing life? All the good emotions, all the bad ones? (Mitch)'Yes.' (Morrie)Well, how can you do that if you're detached? (Mitch)"Ah. You're thinking, Mitch. But detachment doesn't mean you don't let the experience penetrate you. On the contrary, you let it penetrate you fully. That's how you are able to leave it.' " Page 103

Detaching yourself. A magnificent method to try and calm your mind. Embrace the feeling and than allow yourself to release it. Understand the feeling and why you feel that way, than close your eyes and let it go.

"What she mostly wanted, he learned, was the same thing many people want- someone to notice she was there.""Morrie observed that most of the patients there had been rejected and ignored in their lives, made to feel that they didn't exist. They also missed compassion- something the staff ran out of quickly. And many of these patients were well-off, from rich families, so their wealth did not buy them happiness or contentment. It was a lesson he never forgot." Pages 110-111

During his young age, a time where this type of occupation was not popular, Morrie studied patients living in a mental hospital. He spoke about his time there, and quickly learned that most of these people, simply needed to be noticed, feel that someone cared. No matter what money these people had, they were still suffering from mental health issues and were utterly unhappy, lacking a type of compassion that everyone needs at least once in a while in life.

"Listen. You should know something. All younger people should know something. If you're always battling against getting older, you're always going to be unhappy, because it will happen anyhow." Page 119

This is self explanatory, I mean, growing up is apart of life. Roll with the punches, and embrace the wisdom you gain each year you grow.

"You have to find what's good and true and beautiful in your life as it is now. Looking back makes you competitive. And, age is not a competitive issue... I delight in being a child when it's appropriate to be a child. I delight in being a wise old man when it's appropriate to be a wise old man." Page 120

As a child, you wish to grow up. And as an adult, you wish to go back in time. Morrie was basically saying live in the now. Focus on the good things in life, whether it be a pretty flower or a good laugh with a friend. Do not dwell on the past, what you could have said or done, as you can not change it. Age is just a number, keep living. But yo do not have to ever grow up truly. You are allowed to be a child at times.

"I convinced myself that my needs were realistic, my greed inconsequential compared to theirs. This was a smokescreen. Morrie made that obvious.'Mitch, if you're trying to show off for people at the top, forget it. They will look down on you anyhow. And if you're trying to show off for people at the bottom, forget it. They will only envy you. Status will get you nowhere.' " Page 127

This is a lesson I will hold dear forever. Being popular, or being the best will not matter at the end of the day. Trying to please others will make you utterly unhappy in life. You have to focus on doing your own thing, while not worrying about how anyone above or below you feels. Do not appeal to others, appeal to you.

"Only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone... When I give my time, when I can make someone smile after they were feeling sad, it's as close to healthy as I ever feel.Do the kinds of things that come from the heart. When you do, you won't be dissatisfied, you won't be envious, you won't be longing for somebody else's things. On the contrary, you'll be overwhelmed with what comes back." Page 128

Compassion is a trait some may be born with, some learn over time, and some don't learn at all. Morrie, held much compassion in his heart, a trait I relate to as well. Making other's smile, gives me joy. I love making others feel happy and welcome. But as life goes on, times can get overwhelming and people can lose that compassion, remembering to keep an open heart even in times of stress or anger can help lead to a happier life.

"When Morrie was with you, he was really with you. He looked you straight in the eye, and he listened as if you were the only person in the world. How much better would people get along if their first encounter of each day were like this- instead of a grumble from a waitress or a bus driver or a boss?'I believe in being fully present,' Morrie said. 'That means you should be WITH the person you're with." Page 135

I was raised to look a person in the eye when they are speaking, to be fully there and to show them you are truly listening. I laughed reaching this point, as my boyfriend tends to not look people in the eye when he talks to people and it drove me nuts... Until I read this. Not many people posses the ability to be fully there for a conversation, as with this world, people are typically preoccupied. It is a very endearing feeling to have someone listen to you with such intent, and Morrie left the world with a great reminder, to stay tuned.. and truly be there when involved in conversation.