Life Lesson of Love

I just finished reading Tuesdays with Morrie, what a great read especially if you are looking for some inspiration!

I was reading this book a lot while I was visiting my mom and grandma with my bro. First off, you should know, it's very hard to be in the same room with my mom because she is an extreme personality, but nonetheless I love her...she is my mother. Anyway, it was just great to have this book for all the downtime we had. While she was cleaning, or while everyone was in different parts of the house doing their own thing, in the morning when people were getting ready...it was a great book to read amidst all the chaos my mother causes. Seriously. But calling and visiting her and my mom and g-ma more often are one of my new year's resolutions for 2009 and after reading this book, I am inspired do it even more. I mean ya we may not always get along, and yes my mom gets on my very last nerve, but I after reading this book, I feel more prepared to handle her shinannigans.

Family is Family. We are born into it. We cannot pick who our parents are or our siblings or grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc...but no one is perfect. It is up to us to do our part in balancing out the relationship, even when its dysfuctional. Even when they have gotten on your very last nerve. It's a test of our patience.

The good part is, you do get to pick your friends! Your friends should be people who inspire you to be better, people that are always there for you and don't take you for granted. I feel like my friends are my family that I was able to pick. And yes, you must choose your friends wisely.

So what about everyone else? Aquaintences and strangers? I don't believe giving love stops at people you know. It can extend so far out and reach people you don't even know are touched by what you have to say.

There are so many important lessons I got out of this book so I'm gonna share one thing that sticks out...

"be compassionate and take responsibility for each other. If we only learned those lessons, this world would be so much better a place: Love each other or die"

What does it mean to take responsibility for each other? I think it means that we need to care about others as if they were our family, (obviously be careful and use your common sense...we can't just befriend anyone). I feel everyone is to blame for the way one person acts. For example, there are 'odd balls' out there. They sit alone at lunch, but they try so hard to make friends, but they get ignored. Next thing you know, they are doing something completely ridiculous like hurting other people or hurting themselves. Can you judge that person for behaving that way? The choice you make in ignoring or being compassionate to a person can change a person's life...you may not even realize. Compassion for another can go a long way and it's extremely rewarding.

"Love each other or die" If only we could have everyone in the world understand this concept...we would be more grateful for each other. We would be busy making babies, not war. (ahem Israel & Palestine ahem) It sounds so simple, but even the most educated cannot understand it. So, although there is little we can do about it immediately, knowing this for yourself and sticking to it could change your world. "Love each other or die" A mentality so simple and so small can end up making a huge difference in your own life and others around you.

What are your thoughts?

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're doing busy things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."

Thank you Ading Steph for getting me such an awesome read! Ading Jonajay...you are next in line to read it =]