Tuesdays with Morrie
...n. Mitch begins to understand that the pleasures of life are not found in material objects. Individuals need to value their relationships with others, especially with family members and friends. Appreciation for good health and wellness, is clearly depicted throughout the novel with Morrie’s declining health. Individuals must also appreciate the fact that friends love and care about one another and provide each other with internal happiness. For philosopher Aristotle, friendship is considered necessary for a flourishing life. He states that “happiness requires it (friendship) and the moral excellence defined as justice is impossible without it” Throughout the narrative, the reader is presented with the idea that friendship provides individuals with confidence to overcome their fears and apprehensions. Morrie teaches the lesson of conquering a personal fear, through his attitudes and behaviours in facing excruciating pain and a fatal illness. Mitch learns that by allowing himself to experience the full emotion of fear, he recognizes the feeling and then has the ability to detach himself from this emotion. Friendship gives individuals the power, through support, to achieve goals, or overcome obstacles that would have seemed insurmountable by oneself. Aristotle presents a similar idea when he states that: “Friends enhance our ability to think and to act.” The philosopher maintains the theory that “The goal of life’s project is to be happy (live without fear) and friends help us get there.” When friends express feelings of admiration towards each other, they are not only providing each other with confidence but strengthening their friendship as well. Friends have a great impact on an individual’s perspective of life. People that receive encouragement from their friends often have a positive outlook on life and show determination. One of the most important lessons that this book emphasizes is that friendship teaches forgiveness. Morrie suggests the idea that without forgiveness every individual would have numerous regrets. He declares that a person should “Forgive yours...