The Teaching Goes On by Meghan

The Teaching Goes On by Meghan - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

Although I didn’t find out until after my final performance, last year was my winterguard coaches’ final season at Lakota West. I didn’t know it at the time, but the topic of my guard’s show reflected this fact; it was based on the book Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. My coaches chose this topic to honor the decade they spent teaching the program, and to remind those of us who would return the following year that we should continue to uphold the values we learned from them. After reading the novel for myself, I became more emotionally connected to the show and felt inspired at every performance. The story taught me about what is truly important in life and changed the way I view the world.

Tuesdays with Morrie is the true story of Mitch Albom, a journalist who works constantly. He gave up his music career in favor of a more stable job, only to find himself unhappy in life. Mitch learns that Morrie, his favorite old professor, is dying of ALS, so he decides to visit. Although they haven’t seen each other in sixteen years, Morrie immediately recognizes that Mitch is discontent. He decides to spend the time he has left alive teaching one last class: the meaning of life. Morrie feels that he has made the most of his life, and wishes to help Mitch do the same. Through writing this novel, Mitch was able to share Morrie’s wisdom and life lessons with the world.

Mitch and Morrie met every Tuesday and discussed topics ranging from marriage and money to forgiveness and regrets. Each day, Morrie gives Mitch advice on how to make his life more meaningful, such as “devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” He tells Mitch that satisfaction doesn’t come from material things; it comes from “offering others what you have to give.” He encourages Mitch to embrace aging, because life experience makes you grow as a person. These weekly lessons continue until Morrie’s peaceful death at the end of the novel. Morrie’s life was full of meaning until the day he died, since he was able to improve the lives of others through sharing his wisdom.

Reading this novel has helped me in more ways than I can count. Last year, I was under a lot of pressure to decide where I want to go to college and what I want to do with my life, but after reading the book I realized that I would be truly happy by devoting myself to others and becoming a doctor. I decided that saving lives would be the best way to gain a sense of purpose in my life. The novel taught me about appreciating every moment and finding beauty in the things around me, and now I find myself trying to make the most of each day. I’ve also strengthened my relationships with my friends and family, making me a happier, more positive person. My friends that have also read the novel and I have become much closer over the past year, and I am confident that our friendship will continue to grow for the rest of our lives. Tuesdays with Morrie has given me a positive outlook and inspired me to live a meaningful life.