Morrie

Value for Life

One of Morrie's most inspiring qualities is how he makes everyone around him happy. Mitch describes, "the way Morrie lit up when I entered the room. He did this for many people, I know, but it was his special talent to make each visitor feel that the smile was unique" (Albom 51). The reader smiles a little just thinking about it. Most importantly though, Morrie challenges many ideas of happiness. To him, happiness isn't something we have once we have everything we want in life. Quite the opposite, actually. It's something that we make a choice to have even if we have nothing to brag about. And we've got to work to keep and obtain it, every day. The reader will think that Morrie is superhuman, he makes it clear many times that this happiness business is hard work, especially in his

While telling Mitch stories of his life experiences and beliefs, he teaches him to reject the corrupt customs supported by the popular culture, but instead follow his own personal set of values. Morrie is not involved in the media as most of America is, but invests himself in people and their potential to love (Albom 97). Another way in which Morrie rejects popular culture norms is in his acceptance of his weakening disease and imminent death. He has lived and loved with all of his heart, and intends to do so even in his final days. Living his life as an independent man, Morrie finds it difficult having to rely on others for his basic needs. He refuses to be embarrassed by his physical inabilities and looks forward to “being a baby again” (Albom 89). In his childhood he was deprived by love, affection, and human touch. Morrie grows from this stating, "The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in" (52). Now that Morrie is dependent as others again as he was in his infancy, he indulges in the affection of his friends and