08 December 2008

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

"An old man, a young man, and life's greatest lesson" - The sub-title of this book sum it all. As I read, I cannot help but find the book filled with love, compassion, wisdom, and serveral tints of enlightenment!


[Tuesdays with Morrie] is a great book to trigger our reflections this coming Christmas in 2008. Are we living a life that we want? Or are we living at all? When is the last time we'd contacted our teachers, or have a cup of coffee with them or a get-in-touch email?



A few life lessons, as mentioned by the dying Morrie, written in this book that touches me deeply:

1.  "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."

2.  "To know you're going to die, and to be prepared for  at any time ... That way you can actually be more involved in your life while you are living."

3.  "Learn to detach. Don't cling to things, beacuse everything is impermanent ... Let the experience penetrate you fully. That's how you are able to leave it."

4.  "As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away ... You live on - in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here ... Death ends a life, not a relationship."


There is also a very beautiful analogy written in the book, which I'd like to quote here to share with those who are keen to know what this book can offer.

[Quote]

I heard a nice little story the other day ... the story is about a little wave, bobbing along in the ocean, having a grand old time. He's enjoying the wind and the fresh air - until he notices the other waves in front of him, crashing against the shore.

"My God, this is terrible," the wave says. "Look what's going to happen to me!"

Then came another wave. It sees the first wave, looking grim, and it says to him, "Why do you look so sad?"

The first wave says, "You don't understand! We're all going to crash! All of us waves are going to be nothing! Isn't it terrible?"

The second wave says, "No, you don't understand. You're not a wave, you're part of the ocean."

[Unquote]


I will like to take this oppotunity to thank all my teachers, coaches and mentors, for sharing your life experiences and making who I am today. You are:

My Family
Alvin Kek
Alvin Yapp
Benson Soong
Desmond Fu
Eric Tan
Eugene Aw
Freddy Yip
Jason Low
Lawrence Lim
Lee Liang Huat
Lim Koon Pah
Melvyn Chia
Michael Yau
Patrick Sim
Soh Guan Khwee
Sng Siak Keng

Last but not least, Chang Phuan Sim for introducing this book to me.

If you names are not mentioned here, it does not mean you are forgotten. The life lessons that all my friends and associates had embraced me with, will be part of me forever, and the experience will evolve and promulgate down to the next receipents to benefit them. Keep sharing. :-)


Warmest regards,

Leroy Ang

"When I Stop Learning, I Stop Living."



6 comments:

  1. Hey Leroy, this entry serves as a very good reminder indeed! I've learnt from you as well, especially via your postings, so do keep it coming!

    Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Bro!

    I've came across this book about 3 years ago, also highly recommended by a friend but I did not get a chance to read it (somehow I procrastinated to purchase it).

    Can I borrow it if you don't mind and when you're done with it?


    Be Blessed & Grateful!

    Wai Loong

    ReplyDelete
  3. ~B,

    Thanks for your encouragement! Will keep sharing. :-)

    WL,

    I'd read the book 3 times before blogging. Will pass to you this weekend.

    Early Christmas to all my friends and readers of this blog! :-)

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  4. wa bro! you use cheem word! lol...PROMULGATE. OMG!! what is that? hahahhaa...

    cheers bro!

    Alex

    PS: Lend me the book sometimes too! hahaha...

    www.thebillionairejournal.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Alex,

    Extracted from Dictionary.Com:

    Promulgate - to set forth or teach publicly (a creed, doctrine, etc.)

    Will definitely lend you the book after WL finished it. You are in the Q. ;-)

    BTW, I am still holding on to one of your book! :-)

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  6. hahaha...i feel that I'm living the kind of life that is stated in the book, from your summary. I kinda am not afraid to die because I know I've touched the lives of a lot of people around me with my love. I'm sure it'll be a good read..haha..cant wait..

    ReplyDelete