Final Project

Tuesdays With Morrie

"The big things - how we think, what we value- those you must choose yourself. You can't let anyone -- or society determine those for you." - Morrie S. 

          Morrie's aphorism is fairly simple, yet thought provoking. It starts off by stating that one of the big things in life is what we value. These values most likely include family, having friends, and possibly identity. It then goes into saying how these values must be chosen by you and you only. It's saying you can't let anyone decide what you personally value and care for. The aphorism then states that you cannot let society decide your values. People often think that they have to value what everyone else values. However, if it was all like that then would those values even be values? This is where having your own values sets you apart in a unique way. This aphorism therefore has the main message to decide things for yourself.

          I can relate this aphorism to a personal experience. I know someone who spent their whole life doing the things that other people wanted them to do. That person was, in reality, really sad. That person was sad because they didn't get to do that they wanted in life. The person pursuited a completely different career than they actually wanted to do. Eventually the person spoke up and changed things around. However, the person went a long time living unhappily with the decisions other people made for them. Although this person did not do as the aphorism says to do, it still relates to it because it shows what can happen if you don't do as it says.

          I really agree with this aphorism because there are other sayings that Morrie said that can help build support behind this one. This aphorism states that you alone have to decide the big things in life, such as what we value. Morrie had also mentioned how people sometimes put their values into the wrong things. One reason as to why they might put their values into the wrong things is because that is what society is telling them to do. It is because they are too busy listening to society and easily being controlled by it. 

Personal Aphorism

In order to be happy you need to let go of the things bringing you down, no matter how much it hurts.