Late last year (December, 2024) I decided I wanted to read a self-help book that could help me write my goals for the following year. I was looking for an all encompassing book that could realign me with what’s important and enable me to start my year with clarity and intention. 

I was sitting having dinner with friends and asked them if they’d ever read any books that changed their perspective on life or if they’d recommend an ‘end of year’ kind of book. y

I am so, so grateful that my friend Jerry recommended Tuesdays with Morrie. 

I’m sure we all have those books that we read and they seem to be written for us; this was just that. 

Tuesdays with Morrie is a heartfelt true story about a man in his thirties who follows, unfortunately what I would call now a typical life path, successful but unfulfilled and too busy to focus on what truly matters. In contrast, there’s Morrie, a 75-year-old professor who, after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, embraces his final days with incredible positivity. His wisdom gains public attention, leading to a televised interview. This catches the eye of his former student, who once admired him greatly but lost touch over the years. Their reunion becomes a series of profound life lessons, reminding him and us of what it really means to live.

I, of course, implore you to read the book yourself, as your journey through its pages will undoubtedly be a healing process as you relate to both the characters and their tumultuous life stories. However, here are the reflections that have stayed with me, ones I want to remember and carry into my day-to-day life.

Morrie talks about ‘push and pull decisions’; that life can become a series of ‘elastic band’ style options where you’re pulled in potentially opposite directions. He doesn’t mention what these could be or determine how to spot them; instead he tells us the answer, to choose the option with the most love. As cliché as that may come across, it genuinely is quite a freeing notion. When you’re stuck with what life choice to make, simplify it down to choosing the option that shows the most love to either yourself or others. I think you have to be quite attune to your goals for this to work and to think beyond perhaps the short term but it’s something I hope I remember to do. 

The book also reminded me of a lot of values I aim for my life to align with; seeing that money can make you happy but it’s the people around you that are the real sunshine. Throughout the book, there are countless reminders of what’s important in life even from small quips from Mitch (the author) lamenting that he ‘never quite got round’ to having children with his wife (it alludes to career focus being the reason behind this). 

There are also many subtle messages woven throughout the book. The human connection between Mitch and Morrie is nothing short of beautiful, and as you read, you naturally reflect on who in your own life has been there for you the way Morrie is for Mitch.

A particularly poignant moment for me was when Morrie reflected on a friendship that had ended due to a falling out. Facing death, and with no time left to mend the relationship, he realised how unnecessary the dispute had been. Instead of holding onto the disagreement, he wished he had cherished the kindness and connection that friendship had brought him.

I’d hazard to say that we all have friends who frustrate us from time to time, and we might even consider cutting ties. But Morrie’s experience serves as a stark reminder to value those we love and to look beyond the minor frustrations. 

10/10 recommendation from Clare! 

I’m already in a mindset where I can’t wait to read the book again.