Tuesdays with Morrie -10 Unbelievable Lessons

If you’ve ever found yourself pondering life’s big questions – like what’s the secret to happiness, or why does my cat ignore me except at mealtime – then Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie might just be the book for you.

In this heartwarming memoir, Albom recounts his weekly visits with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who’s in the final stages of ALS. Together, they explore the deeper meaning of life, love, work, and death.

But Tuesdays with Morrie isn’t just a tear-jerker; it’s packed with timeless wisdom that’s refreshingly practical, and dare I say, hopeful. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to live better without the feeling of getting a lecture from that overly energetic fitness coach at 6 a.m.

So, what exactly can we learn from Morrie’s Tuesdays?

Here are ten key takeaways to help you navigate life’s highs and lows with a little more grace (and maybe even a smile).

Contents
Embrace the Present Moment -Tuesdays with Morrie

One of the first lessons Morrie shares is the importance of living in the moment. We’re all guilty of this: scrolling through Instagram while pretending to listen to a friend, or mentally drafting an email while supposedly enjoying “me time.” Morrie reminds us that life is happening right now, and if we’re too caught up in distractions or worries about the future, we’ll miss out on the beauty of the present.

Key takeaway: Slow down. Be where you are. If you’re sipping coffee, really savour that first sip like it’s a life-changing event. (Because let’s be honest, sometimes it is.)

Death Isn’t the End – It’s a Teacher

Yes, this one’s heavy, but hear me out. Morrie talks about how embracing the reality of death can teach us how to live. The fact that our time here is limited should make us appreciate it more. Instead of treating death like an unwelcome party guest, Morrie suggests we look at it as the ultimate motivator to live fully, love deeply, and pursue what really matters.

Key takeaway: Don’t be afraid to think about death. Let it push you to live a more meaningful life today. Also, maybe don’t wait until you’re 90 to do all the fun stuff on your bucket list.

Relationships Are Everything

-Tuesdays with Morrie

According to Morrie, the most important thing in life isn’t career success or material wealth (I know, shocker). It’s relationships. The connections we build with other people are what truly give our lives meaning. Morrie believes that love and human connection are the cornerstones of a well-lived life.

Key takeaway: Spend more time nurturing your relationships. Call your parents. Grab coffee with a friend. And no, sending a meme doesn’t count as quality bonding time.

Don’t Chase Money – Chase Purpose

In a world obsessed with material success, Morrie’s take on wealth is refreshing: it won’t make you happy. We often think that if we could just get that raise, buy that house, or upgrade our tech gadgets, we’d finally be content. But as Morrie wisely points out, true fulfilment comes from finding purpose in what we do, not from the numbers in our bank accounts.

Key takeaway: Look for meaning in your work and life, not just money. That doesn’t mean you should quit your job tomorrow to meditate in the Himalayas, but finding purpose in your everyday tasks can bring unexpected joy.

Ageing Isn’t a Curse, It’s a Privilege – Tuesdays with Morrie

Morrie flips the script on ageing. Instead of viewing getting older as a series of losses (wrinkles, energy, the ability to understand new slang), he sees it as an opportunity to grow and gain wisdom. Every year you get to live is a blessing, and with it comes the chance to evolve as a person.

Key takeaway: Don’t fear ageing – embrace it. Each birthday is an opportunity to learn more, grow more, and maybe even appreciate a 9 p.m. bedtime.

Forgive Others – and Yourself

Morrie is big on forgiveness. He emphasises that holding onto grudges doesn’t just affect the other person; it weighs you down too. Whether it’s forgiving others for their mistakes or, more importantly, forgiving yourself for past regrets, this act of letting go can set you free.

Key takeaway: Don’t let unresolved issues fester. Apologize where needed, forgive often, and, most importantly, cut yourself some slack.

Be True to Yourself –Tuesdays with Morrie

Society loves to tell us what we should do: you should follow this career path, you should own a house by 30, you should be married by 35, etc. But Morrie encourages us to figure out what *we* actually want, rather than what’s expected of us. Living authentically is the key to happiness.

Key takeaway: Listen to your inner voice, not the noise of societal expectations. If you want to be a poet instead of an accountant, do it. And if you love pineapple on pizza, own it (but remember you will be judged for it. And rightfully so).

Life Is About Giving, Not Taking – Tuesdays with Morrie

Morrie believes that giving to others is one of the greatest sources of fulfilment. It doesn’t have to be grand gestures; even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. When we focus on what we can contribute, rather than what we can get, we experience a deeper sense of satisfaction and purpose.

Key takeaway: Find ways to give back, whether it’s your time, energy, or just a kind word. Helping others helps you too.

Accept What You Can’t Control

Morrie teaches that while we can’t control everything that happens in life, we can control how we respond to it. Rather than wasting energy resisting or complaining about things outside our control, we should focus on what we can change – our attitudes, actions, and perspectives.

Key takeaway: Stop stressing over the things you can’t control (easier said than done, I know). Accept life’s unpredictability, and you’ll find a sense of peace.

Love is the Only Rational Act –Tuesdays with Morrie

Morrie’s final lesson? Love. He believes that love is the driving force behind all human actions, and it’s the most rational thing we can give and receive. At the end of the day, love is what makes life meaningful.

Key takeaway: Show love in all its forms – compassion, kindness, patience. It’s the one thing that makes everything else worthwhile.

How Can You Apply These Lessons?

By now, you’re probably thinking, “Okay, Tuesdays with Morrie sounds amazing, but how do I actually apply these life lessons without falling back into my usual habits?” Enter the Wizdom app, your personal guide to absorbing and applying the wisdom from books like Tuesdays with Morrie.

Wizdom offers bite-sized summaries of popular self-help books, including actionable insights you can implement right away. Whether you’re waiting for your coffee to brew or procrastinating at work, Wizdom lets you tap into life-changing lessons without needing to reread entire books. So if Morrie’s teachings resonated with you, you can quickly revisit those key points anytime, anywhere.

Tuesdays with Morrie is a treasure trove of wisdom, reminding us to live with intention, love deeply, and appreciate the fleeting nature of life. And while Morrie’s lessons are timeless, they’re only valuable if we take them to heart and put them into practice. So go on – start living like every Tuesday is a lesson with Morrie.

And if you need a little help staying on track, remember that the Wizdom app is just a tap away, ready to give you the gentle nudge you need to live your best life.