What I learned Reading 'Tuesdays With Morrie'

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mitch malcolm

“Don’t let your dreams turn sour. Don’t trade your dreams for a bigger paycheck.” - Morrie


I have been lucky. I have had teachers who had immense positive impacts in my life. Not just teachers, they were my guides for the life ahead of me. They instilled in me the confidence to pursue my hobby wholeheartedly. Their occasional praises encouraged me to no end. They were my mentors- some of them proud of me; I strived hard to be a favorite. I’m lucky, really lucky. My first job today as a Java Developer took roots as early as class nine, when I realized my love for programming and coding, thanks to my teacher. His role in my life has been crucial indeed. And my lifelong love for writing and literature and language of any kind; I owe it to my school teachers yet again who made me love poetry, find meaning in superfluous words, and come to like Shakespearean plays. I owe it to them.


Reading ‘Tuesdays With Morrie’ made me reminisce all those schooling days in the quaint little town of Keonjhar. I loved my days there- my friends, the school, the church, the cycle ride to Computer and English tuitions. I loved Literature classes- every new idea that I encountered, the very prospect of learning or even coming across a new thought excited me. I was quiet then, as I am now too, but my mind was a whirlpool of thoughts. Looking back life seemed perfect.


In the book, the author Mitch visits his dying professor after decades. He has lost contact with him busy with career and family and has forgotten to keep his promise of being in contact. Over several Tuesdays, through his visits and their conversations he learns some of the life’s greatest lessons. The chapters made you smile with joy, cry with emotion, and most importantly they make you wonder about the way you lead your life. This is a memoir that one should read, it’s worth it, trust me.


They say one should have at least one friend who is 15 years older and another who is 15 years younger. Both do him a lot of good. My favorite among Morrie’s teachings is the one that you read in the start of this piece. I still confuse over money and dreams; obedience and courage; the certainty of a secure job and the uncertainty of dreams. Another teaching close to my heart is ‘Create your own culture.’ Be it a ritual fundamental to you, a theory you believe in, the community of learners you have faith on, habits you inculcate, love you spread- create your own culture, don’t just adjust to someone else’s.

I would recommend this book to every life long learner.

Wanna watch the movie too!!


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Queeristan by Parmesh Sahani

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  Queeristan (Amazon Link) Thanks to Audible Free Trial I listened to this amazing non-fiction on LGBTQ inclusion in Indian workplaces. Author Parmesh Sahani identifies as gay Indian, working closely with Godrej higher management and employees for years to create an inclusive workplace, both legally and in spirit. This book is a result of those years of experience, research, collaboration with individuals from difference spectrum of the society and organizations who has successfully transitioned into a queer friendly one.   Indian history is inclusive. From the Khajuraho temple architectures, to Konark to the Rig Veda, there is existing proofs even 2000 years ago of Indian inclusiveness of queer. It’s the draconian British law that criminalised it, which was scraped in 2009, came into effect once again following a sad judgement in 2013 and eventually was scraped off for good in 2018. I am in awe of the lawyers who fought this legal battle- colleagues and partners – Arundhati Katju
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