Morrie’s Pearls of Wisdom?
You know that occasional vague feeling of dissatisfaction..that cant-put-your-finger-on-it sense of unhappiness? I finally got around to reading Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, (wondering what the fuss was all about because this skinny little book was on the New York Times bestseller list for 4 years) and apparently the ‘secret to happiness’ can be summarized in these few points:-
- As my lecturer likes to say, this sets out the scene: Scenario1- We are all so wrapped up in careers, in the mortgage, new car and money. We have a trillion of little acts just to keep going. As the author noted, ‘My days were full, yet I remained, much of the time unsatisfied. Is this all I want?’
- Scenario 2 as astutely observed by Morrie: Wherever I went in my life, I met people wanting to gobble up something new. Gobble up a new car, gobble up property etc. People were so hungry for love that they were accepting substitutes.’
- So this begs the question- how to be truly happy? He makes it sound so simple. Deep inner satisfaction is derived from giving others what you have to give. Which sort of runs parallel to: give out love, and let it come in.
- Conclusion: the meaning in life comes from devoting yourself to loving others, devoting yourself to your community around you, and devoting yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.
Call me a cynic but I find some difficulty with happiness being so attainable. How does one reconcile that with the fact that it is human nature to be somewhat dissatisfied? Otherwise how can we strive for excellence and higher achievements? Aim for the sky and all that jazz? Somewhat confused I am. Will muse more with ice cream…
