In the novel Tuesdays with Morrie, there are a lot of connections between his life lessons that he told and explained to Mitch that connected to my life.
The first life lesson is Accept who you are. "Accept what you are able to do and what you are not able to do." (Pg18)
This lesson connects to me because when I'm working on the farm I am only allowed to drive the old combine and not the new one, but I have realized that I should be happy that I am able to drive a combine and to help out on the farm. This lesson also connects to me because I am starting to turn into my dad, but I have decided to try to break all of the habits that I'm getting from him and to make my own.
The second lesson is Learn to Forgive. “Learn to forgive yourself and to forgive others."(Pg.18)
This lesson connects to me because I can forgive myself for failing a test or doing something wrong and being able to forgive myself and learn from the mistakes. I forgive myself when I choose not to do something and end up missing out on a great time.
The third lesson is love and be loved. "The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.” (Pg.52)
This life lesson connects to me and is important to me because every time that I'm with my dad at his parents he treats his mom like hell. All he does is yell at her or talk to her in the snotty voice that Steen’s get when they are older. I know that he loves her and everybody else but he has a funny way of showing in.
The fourth lesson is except death. "Everyone knows they’re going to die, but nobody believes it.” (Pg.80)
Everybody knows that my grandfather is going to die soon. I can't picture life without him because we have gotten so close working with each other and i can't see him not riding around the farm on his motorized tricycle watching all of us.
The fifth lesson is Love. "Love each other or perish.” (Pg.91)
This lesson connects to me because every time I have a fight with somebody in my family it seems like we all go into exile because nobody talks to each other and we all look at each other like we want to kill them.
The sixth lesson is let things go. “Don’t cling to things, because everything is impermanent.” (Pg.103)
This lesson connects to me because my grandparents hang onto things that they had replaced in the house. They put the stuff in the basement and keep it there for years until somebody comes and throws it out for them.
The seventh lesson is Money can’t buy happiness. “Money is not a substitute for tenderness, and power is not a substitute for tenderness.” (Pg.125)
This lesson connects to me because as long as I have money in my account for gas and food I will be happy. I don’t care if I have a lot of power, I don’t mind doing stuff for others as long as it’s reasonable and they aren’t just being lazy.
The eighth life lesson is don’t give up. “When you’re in bed, you’re dead.” (Pg.131)
This lesson connects to me because my brother likes to sleep in until noon and when he gets up he acts like he is dead or dying. When he gets up all he does is go to the couch and watches TV.
The ninth lesson is giving gifts. “I got you something.” (Pg.48)
This connects to me because I enjoy giving my family gifts and seeing their reaction to the surprise, especially to my little cousins.
The tenth lesson is don’t be so independent, you will somebody one day to help get dressed, to walk, and to eat. “I began to enjoy my dependency. Now I enjoy when they turn me over on my side and rub cream on my behind so I don’t get sores.” (Pg.116)
This connects to me because my grandfather needs somebody to cook for him or else he doesn’t get the right nutrients that he needs. My great grandfather needs help getting out of bed and eating. He has trouble speaking so somebody needs to be there to help other understand what he is saying.
