Tuesday's with Morrie

Tuesday's with Morrie 

Personally, I do not like reading books that glorify lessons from life and experiences or are in a way motivational. 

My 20th birthday, my friends gifted me a small book, almost the size of my palm. 

When I read the title, I was both happy and sad. Happy, because I like reading and that was probably the most meaningful gift. Sad, because it seemed to me like another way to get me out of my not-so happy phase - to read a book that teaches you life lessons. 

I won't deny, I was going through a tough phase, but nothing could actually convince me to read the book that was left to decorate my book shelf with the others. 

On my way back home for Christmas holidays, I found myself pitying the book that my friends had gifted me so thoughtfully. I decided to read it on the flight. It wasn't much to read in a couple of hours ( for those who have seen a copy of the book). So, once I was all settled with a cup of masala chai, I started reading. I found myself flipping the pages one by one, not being able to stop myself. For almost three hours, I dug my head into the little novel, imagining every conversation that took place between Morrie and the author. 

This book, is by far one of the very few that have had an impact on me. It is not a fat, hardbound book with font that will force you to squint while reading. The simple language and the personal style of writing is what kept me glued. 

To a certain extent, it is an autobiography by Mitch Albom, but more than that it is the author’s recollection of a series of visits to a beloved, terminally ill college professor, Morrie Schwartz and fond memories assicoated with him.

We all have that one person in our lives, someone who is mature, patient and wise. It is they, who understand you, even though you’re young and reckless. They help you see the world as a more insightful place as well as give you sound advice and guide you through it. For Mitch, it was Morrie - his mentor, guide, friend and companion.

Morrie taught Mitch, almost 20 years back, in Brandeis University and since he graduated Mitch had always wanted to be a successful journalist, earn and have a fat bank balance. He did manage to achieve all of this, but the materialism  got the better of him. Years later, he heard Morrie on a TV show talking about Death and decided to reach out to him again. He got to know that his professor was suffering from ALS (remember the Ice Bucket Challenge?), that left Morrie with a few months to live . Since then, every Tuesday was spent with Morrie - looking out for the meaning of life. 

We’re Tuesday people.” they said. 

For the next couple of weeks Mitch went back to Morrie, but no longer did they talk about sociology like they did in College. They talked about the world, regrets, mistakes, death, the fear of growing old and forgiveness. I, for one could relate to these concepts as philosophical as they may sound. 

Morrie, was an excellent teacher and Mitch Albom has very simplistically,  communicated all that Morrie wanted to tell the world before leaving. 

This book has taught me more than my life experiences in the last 21 years have – not that I have had a lot of experiences. However, I personally believe that ‘Tuesday’s with Morrie’, is a great book with so many life lessons and that can be so very important to each and every one of us.

It is always the small  things in life that bring us  more joy. Someone, but we do not know who, very rightly said, ‘Money cannot buy happiness'. The simplest things in life, like receiving flowers or helping someone in need and even just doing something nice to make someone’s day – these matter. Retail therapy might make you feel better, but that's momentary. 

Live in the moment. Don't worry about growing old or whether or not you'll achieve success. Work, success, achievements and the like will follow as long as you’re doing what your heart tells you to do. The happier you are, the happier people and things around you will seem. 

Forgive, not only others but also yourself If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from my life experiences, is that the more grudges you hold, will cause only you to feel more hurt. The other person probably doesn't even care. If they did Something bad to you, let Karma do the job. Don’t sweat it and stoop so low to take revenge, just don’t. If you've made mistakes, don't regret them. Nobody is perfect. You only learn from mistakes. 

It is okay to cry. You don’t have to be strong all the time. It’s okay to let your guard down. So just CRY. It’ll ease the pain, that’s all.

Value your friends and your family because they will always be there. Don’t leave behind those who matter to you in the pursuit of success. They’ll be standing right there when you fail, your support system. 

'Either you learn to love each other or die.’ - Morrie. Love is the most powerful emotion that we are privileged to feel so live everything that comes your way. 

If the ways of the world doesn’t ‘suit’ your own lifestyle, create your own – Dare to be different. There’s no harm in it.

This book is not just a book, but an experience I feel everyone should share. And, if this doesn’t compel you to read the book, I fail to understand what will. So go ahead, spare a Tuesday and spend it with Morrie and Mitch. It’ll be worth it.

Memoirs of a Sophian

Sophia College for Women, Mumbai is one of the most renowned institutions for women’s education in the country. Situated in Breach Candy, one of the most elite localities of Bombay, it is widely and unfortunately referred to as the LSR of Mumbai.

Sophians have been known to be extremely self absorbed, arrogant and very proud of their Sophian lineage. I couldn't agree less.

And why not? We have a beautiful campus, one of the best in the city!

We are proud of everything our campus has to offer. Including its magnificent neo-classical buildings that were once part of a palace and the highlight of the campus - the Central Lawn and the age old Gulmohar tree that has seen many proud Sophians come and go.

It’s pronounced as S-O-P-H-I-A and not S-O-F-E-E-Y-A. Okay?

Just to clear the confusion as to the pronunciation, Sophia in greek means ‘Wisdom’

Hence, we’d like to think of ourselves as very wise and there’s no doubt that we are.

I knew from the moment I stepped foot into the campus that Sophia would transform me as an individual and I can say without a shadow of doubt that it has.

I still remember the first day I came to campus for my hostel interview. Yes, we had interviews because the hostel has a limited number of seats and a place in the hostel is based solely on merit. Needless to say, I was extremely nervous but I was hopeful.

I had never been part of a convent institution before. I didn't know the kind of questions they'd ask me or what I could do to earn brownie points to get into the hostel. I was absolutely dreading the idea of staying in the hostel (on campus) in a city like Mumbai that had so much to explore. Unfortunately for me, it was either the hostel or back to Calcutta, as per my father’s instructions.

So, I had to ace the interview and secure my seat at all costs. Going back wasn't an option, it never will be. I got lucky, and somehow managed to get a seat in the main hostel. Initially I was skeptical about it. The idea of staying away from home for the first time and that too in girls’ hostel where I would have to share a room with someone, and use the common bathrooms made me cringe.

I’m glad I kept an open mind and I soon made good friends, not just for three years but for life.

I was blessed to have the best roommates anyone could ever ask for. Yes, all my three years haven’t been all hunky-dory. There have been fights and arguments and misunderstandings, but we’ve learnt how to handle them like adults and be considerate towards each other. In the end, you are one big family of a 120 girls staying under the same roof. I’ve had some great memories at Sophia. There were times I’ve been at home during my vacations where I was homesick for the hostel and my friends and roommates.

One learns a lot staying away from home - managing your finances, fending for yourself, taking care of your health because your mother will not be around to pamper you all the time and also becoming immune to the mess food that would always serve as the resting ground for many cockroaches and other insects. For those reading this, the food at the Symbiosis mess is equivalent to food from a restaurant for me and I have no qualms admitting it.

There were many perks of being a hostelite. For starters, we did not have to travel at all to go to class like the day scholars would (by train) and we considered ourselves extremely fortunate that we did not have to travel during the rainy season.  Second, our college has been part of many movies, as most of you must have recognised the pink buildings in Ishq Vishq and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. Hence, we’ve had the privilege of meeting many actors.

Although being a hostelite, We’ve had to shoulder many responsibilities. This meant that we had to be extremely active in college, have no less than 90 percent attendance in each subject. Since I was a student of Mass media, our department head Dr. Colaco expected us to put the department first at all costs, which was added pressure. I held the post of Class Representative in my third year and it was not easy. One person that I shared a love-hate relationship was with Dr. Colaco. She has been part of the college and teaching for the last fifty years. She even taught out Principal and is the oldest and most respected faculty members. She has single handedly set up the entire Mass Media department in 1998 and headed it since. I have immense respect for her work and what she’s trying to do and consider myself very lucky to be taught under her guidance.

College wasn't all that serious. Sophia is known for it’s inter-collegiate festival - Kaleidoscope or

K-scope as it is fondly referred to as by the students. One entire week of great participation, (organized solely by the students) fun, food and meeting new people, fighting for slots, cheering for our teams and being part of the workforce and the experience only got better with every passing year. There were other events organized by the students that saw great participation from other colleges and students and most of us have extremely fond memories during these times.

They say that three years in college will be your best and they were indeed, for me. Sophia college has molded and shaped the person I was to the person I’ve always wanted to be - An independent, optimistic and confident young woman, ready to take on the world.