I finished another book this week, probably many have read this one, but it touched me, taught me, and inspired me to live my own life with such passion and compassion. Interesting how these two words relate! Morrie Schwartz has something to teach us all. I posted the last few minutes of the audio book where we actually get to hear for the first time Morrie Speak. He is dying of ALS, a severe neuro-degenerative disorder. In his path to death he experiences life, and brings us along for the journey. I have read two books in the last 2 weeks just sitting in my car. I feel that these books found me. Both have breached the topic of death, both reinforcing the importance of the intangible gifts we are given, focusing on spirit, and the enormous gifts of love that we have been given and have to share with those around us. As I drove my car to work each day my heart and mind were filled with these words. I practiced the Buddhist philosophy of the immaginary parrot on my shoulder. I looked to it and said… “today am I living my life to it’s fullest, am I appreciative of today, am I ready to die today, am I proud of my actions today, am I spreading peace today, love today, am I using my gifts today, willing to listen today, willing to speak today, am I judgmental today, am I forgiving today, am I who I know I can be today? This hour of self reflection at the begining of each day made me a better person. I hope I can continue to practice these acts, I hope that Morrie’s words don’t get filled into the back of my head, I hope that I can continue to appreciate each moment as if it is my last. I have been learning that most of all to live and love life, we need to daily be aware of our death….. this is a gift, a time limited free for all…..without appreciating it’s ability to end at any moment, we will not be able to fully appreciate the moment that we live in today…. Heed Morrie’s words and each moment will be what it should be, a perfect time to die!
Stephen’s podcast
Give it a listen!
Enjoy! — Stephen Pasquini