Journal 5: Continuation/Circle of Life/Change

1) I see change as something that can become different. Change is natural to all people- it's life. It's part of the circle. Birth, live your life, death.... It is what every living thing goes through, and that is what can't be changed. Some things can be continued even after death. It's what is left behind in other people that lets the deceased live on. This is something I believe.

2) "It's not contagious, you know. Death is as natural as life. It's part of the deal we make."

Morrie is saying that death is natural; it's as natural as life. They are part of a never-ceasing cycle. As each person dies, another person is born. Then that person dies, and another is born. Every animal and plant go through this. When he says, 'It's a part of the deal we make', I think he is referring to the deal we make with God when we are born. We promise that when He wants us to join Him, we will go willingly. He gave us life, and he can take it away. Life is a gift, but so is death. You can follow your religion, if you have one, and you will end up with a life after death, whatever it may be.

"As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on- in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here."

He says that everything we had, everything we did, will be left in the ones you loved. In this way, you can die without ever leaving. You live on. By this, you should love everyone, make everyone know or remember you in some way so that, when you die, you will be carried on in the lives of those you loved. They won't forget you, and this will keep your spirit with them. Remember the people you know who have died, and keep their spirit alive.

3) Yes, I agree because what Morrie says is a lesson that we should understand. I agree that everything can be kept going by the people who remember you when you die. I agree and know that death is as natural as life and it goes on in a cycle. I know change is the one thing that can never be changed. I knew all of these things, even before reading the book, but I still enjoyed it.

4) What are changes you have experienced that YOU can or cannot change?

I always have the ability to change my grades, just by studying harder or getting help when needed. I can change what I eat-making the decision. I decided not to quit swimming when it got hard. When I made new friends or got rid of old ones. I decide how I live my life.....

I was unable to decide to stay at our old house when we moved. My grandmother moved in WITH my parents and I- she needed us. I can't ever change the final grade on a test or overall after it's over. I can't change the weather, no matter how much I want to. I can't change human nature. I can't stop wars and economic crises.... But that's just life. Some things you influence and can change the outcome, and others you can't.

Journal 4

Topic 4: Importance

1) Importance is something that is significant and meaningful in any person's life. It could be a material thing, or a value, or something else entirely.

2) "In this culture, it's so important to find a loving relationship with someone because so much of the culture does not give you that."

Here, Morrie is saying that it's important to find someone you love deeply because nothing else will give you that. This could be a spouse, a friend, or your children. It could mean any person that you know and care for. When he says that "so much of the culture does not give you that", I think he's trying to say that the manifestations of humans will never give you the comfort, care, and dependence that a loving relationship will give you. You have to rely on yourself to find this person, and you can't just hope time, as well as society, will do it for you.

"The little things, I can obey. But the big things- how we think, what we value- those you must choose yourself. You can't let anyone- or any society- determine those for you."

You should never let anyone control you, or tell you what to do. If you think racism should be ended, but everyone around you keeps beating up and segregating minorities, don't be influenced by them. If you are with your friends and they start stealing clothing from a store; you feel it's wrong, but they are pressuring you, go with what you think, not what they want you to do. No one should determine how you should live, how you should think, what you believe to be important. I think it's funny how, here in America, they tell us we are free, but, the truth is, we are far from it. They tell us how to live our lives; laws restrict us. Commercials influence what we should buy and do. The BIG guys control our lives. Don't completely give in to this. Do what you think is right, what you believe.

3) I agree with what the quotes are saying. Though they are few in millions of important things, they are important, at least for some. What is important for one person may not be important to another; this is what makes us all different. The book really just made me think about the topic; not really REthink it. I already know about importance and it's differences, but the book brought it back up. I enjoy how Tuesdays with Morrie makes me think and gives me new ideas. I think everyone should read it.

4) What comes up in your head when you think of the word importance?

I straightaway think of the the book we're reading, Tuesdays with Morrie. The lessons Morrie teaches Mitch are things that I believe are the most important lessons we can have in life. These lessons can be put to use in the world around us. They can make it better. Love, forgiveness, trust..... every topic is important; it is important to think about them. The content of the book was left for us by Mitch, who was given it by Morrie. He left us these lessons so the world could be better and we could be better people.

Journal 3

Topic 3: Family

1) I think of family as a group of children, teens, and adults who join together and bond with one another. They love one another and do things for each other; they fight, but, in the end, everyone loves each other and there is peace. Some philosophies could include the following: Families support one another and are always there for each other.They care and love each other (love is important). Families share a bond that no other experience will give. They sacrifice things for each other. Family members can rely on one another (most of the time) for anything. Families always have a fun and a great time with one another, because that's what families do.

2) "If you don't have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don't have much at all."

I think this means that, without everything that you get from a family, there will be a large emptiness inside you and life won't feel complete. To at least have a partner to share your life with, is important. Children teach the parents to learn to love and bond, as well responsibility. Morrie says he thinks that enduring this disease would be a whole lot harder if he had to do it alone, and without his loving wife and two sons. To have people who will stay and never leave; knowing someone has an eye on you, watching you the whole time. He had old colleges and students, patients and friends, but they had to leave eventually. His family would stay there, and they do. The only reason Morrie's son's weren't there with him for his last months alive is because he believes they should go on with their lives. Later on, Mitch wonders that if he were to die- without a family and children- would the emptiness be unbearable? I think it would be.

"Love each other or perish."

This probably means that, without love, this world would be filled with hatred, anger, war, and death. Loving each other means you have to act like everyone in the world around you is one of your family. It means supporting them in times of need and sacrificing things for them. It means bonding and loving and caring about them. It means to be concerned when they're in danger or dying. Otherwise, an endless war will rage. I think this is the reason why there are so many wars in the world, as well as simple conflicts among people. It's because many have never learned to truly love one another.

3) I agree with what the examples are saying: I agree that we should love each other and that, without family, we really wouldn't have anything. Sure, we might have minuscule possessions, but not the comfort of another living being actually there to talk to and to touch. It's important that we interact with everyone the same way we do with family because otherwise, everyone withdraws from the world. They make their own little bubble; trying to avoid other people and problems. As always, this book makes me reassess life and all the lessons in it. Some things I've thought of, or agree with, but have never really put into action.

4) Every day, how many people do you converse with and how many people to you help when they need it? (AKA do you treat them like family?)

For me, I usually say "good morning" to familiar faces in the hall, but I only actually TALK to my friends or people I know. Never strangers, or people I've seen only here and there. I help a person in need if I can, and if I'm needed. Sometimes I think people need to learn a lesson from needing something. ex) If a classmate forgets a pencil, I may not give them mine, because they need to learn to be prepared in the future; to learn from their mistakes.