Tuesdays With Morrie Aphorisms By: Olivia Vladyka

“Accept what you are able to do and what you are not able to do. ” (p This quote has taught me to stay true to what I am. I won’t struggle to be someone I can never be, I will put my effort into what I am capable of. For example, I am not very athletic so accept that I won’t be on a sports team, but I do well in school so I try to excel in my classes. Everyone has their own unique abilities that determine their potential. I will never be a track star but I could get A’s on my report card.

“Accept the past as past, without denying it or discarding it. ” (pg No one can live in the past. I learned that we have to learn from the past to keep from repeating it, but don’t dwell on it. No one can move forward in life if they live in the past. The only way to live without regrets is to accept the past and work to make a better future.

“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”(p. 52) Love is the most important part of life. People should believe more in love than money or power. I learned through the book that I need to accept love and also love others. Love can provide support in the most difficult of times, just like it did for Morrie. I want to surround myself with people who would be my support system.

“Sometimes you can’t believe what you see; you have to believe what you feel.” (p. 61) In some situations, you have to believe in feelings instead of what you see. For example, Morrie says to believe in love over objects. Emotions are more important than gifts and purchases. I believe that feeling loved and cared for is more important than being rich. I value my friends and family more than I value my clothes or my phone.

“Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” (pg. 82) Accepting death leads to a meaningful life. People cannot spend their lives worrying about how they will die. Everyone dies eventually; people should live everyday like it’s their last to have a valuable and happy life. I don’t want to spend my life worrying about how I will die, I understand that I will so I can live a more meaningful life.

“Don’t cling to things, because everything is impermanent.” (p. 103) I always stress about things that won’t last forever. Everything, relationships, where you live, where you go to school, and even your life; they are all temporary. Don’t rely on one situation too long; it is bound to change. Nothing will last forever.

“Love each other or perish.” (p. 149) Love is the only thing rational in the world. After death the only way to stay “alive” is through loving and happy memories. This quote taught me that while life may end, memories will live forever in people that I’ve met. Love can keep a person alive long after they are dead.

“Don’t let go too soon, but don’t hang on too long.” (p. 162) The novel discusses the idea that after a certain point life is not worth living. This quote taught me to live as long and happily as I can, but when my quality of life has significantly dropped it is time to let go. Unconsciously breathing through a vent is not a life worth living. The quote does not mean that people should not grow old, but rather people should be able to determine the quality of life they want to live.

“Forgive yourself before you die. Then forgive others.” (p. 164) Forgiving others will help you to move on from the past. For example, if someone I was fighting with died I would never have a chance to forgive them. People also need to forgive themselves, they cannot go through life regretting what happened in the past. Forgiving makes peace with yourself and others.

“Death ends a life, not a relationship.” (p. 174) The memory of those close to us is kept alive through love. Some of my relatives have died, but that doesn’t mean I no longer love them. Love goes on forever. Charlotte will still love Morrie after he is dead. Love is eternal even though life is not.