I tend to resist reading books about dying people. I’m also a sucker for bestsellers and that’s the reason the book “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albon sat in my library for years. I just recently pulled it down and was soon entranced by Mitch’s story about the time he spent with one of his college professors, Morrie Schwartz, who was dying from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I found the life lessons Morrie passed onto Mitch humorous, touching and many to be downright thought-provoking. In his last days, this dying man was more alive than most of us will ever be.
The timing was poignant in view of the fact that a dear 84-year-old friend just passed. One of my favorite thoughts from Morrie is on living a life of meaning:
“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing 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.”
My friend was pure love – in every thought, action and deed. That was her meaning. She was also a spitfire. The last time I saw her (just days before she passed) I teased her that she would have competed for Tom if she was younger. She joked that she still would but there was another young man in front of Tom who she wanted to win over first. I’ll always remember her love and the gleam of mischief in her eyes when we shared our last goodbyes.
Whether you’re a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant or an RN aspiring to be, are you living a life of meaning or just meaning to? This is a question I’m planning to ask myself more often. How about you?
I’m Just Askin’
P.S. Comment and share what gives your life meaning.
Vickie,
What an awesome post! It is so true, we all get SO “BUSY” – but doing what, is the question… are we doing something we love, are we helping others and are we making a difference? As the holidays approach, it is something each of us should do – stop and reflect…
Thanks,
Penny Watkins RN, BSN, PHN, CLNC
Legal Nurse Consultants of So. Calif.