Book of the Week: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Hey readers, I appreciate ya for stopping by for another “Book of the Week” discussion. It’s always nice to sit down and share a story that leaves me thinking, reflecting, and sometimes reworking how I want to approach this life we’ve been given. This week? Oh man, this week’s book did all that and more.

Before we get into it, answer me this. If you knew you only had a few months to live, how would you spend them? Who would you call? What would you say? And how much of that time would you spend appreciating the life you’ve already lived? Now, let’s make that question tougher. Think about those same final days, but add something harsh. Each day, you lose just a little more control over your body. One day you can’t walk. Eventually, maybe you can’t even wipe a tear from your own cheek, or the ability to wipe your own behind!

Pretty grim, right? But here’s the thing. Even with those setbacks, would you focus on what you’re losing, or would you lean into what you still have? Would you take that time to teach the people around you how to live fully and love deeply?

That’s where we land in Mitch Albom’s unforgettable book, Tuesdays with Morrie. This isn’t just any book. It’s the kind of story that cracks you open, makes you cry, makes you laugh, and leaves you with a full heart. It’s a story about death, sure, but even more so, it’s about life and living it in a way that leaves a legacy.

What’s It About?

Here’s the gist. Mitch Albom, a successful sportswriter, reconnects with his old college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who happens to be dying of ALS. They reunite after years apart, and Mitch starts visiting Morrie every Tuesday for what can only be described as life lessons disguised as conversations. Week by week, as Morrie’s body weakens, his mind and wisdom shine even brighter.

What happens on those Tuesdays is astounding. Morrie isn’t just teaching Mitch about death. He’s teaching him how to live with purpose, gratitude, and an open heart. And here’s the kicker, for all the sadness of Morrie’s condition, the book is filled with so much hope and inspiration.

Reading this, I couldn’t help but think about how we, as individuals, approach difficult situations. Sure, ALS is a cruel disease, but Morrie embraced it in a way that most of us can’t even begin to fathom. He used it as his platform to teach, to inspire, and to connect with those around him. If there’s a better lesson in purpose, I haven’t seen it.  

Oh – and man do I wish I had read this prior to my old man going through his last stage of life.  If you have the opportunity – pick this book up before it’s too late! 

Lessons That Packed a Punch

This book hit me in a lot of ways not just as a business owner but as a human being, a husband, a father, and a friend. It got me thinking. What kind of legacy do I want to leave behind? How am I spending my time right now? Morrie asked these same questions of Mitch, and maybe now it’s time for us all to ask them of ourselves. Here are a few lessons that stuck with me.

1. Time Is Precious

Morrie’s message is clear right from the start. Time is a gift. And how we spend it determines the quality of our lives. We can’t get it back. No amount of money or success can buy it.

Now, I’m the kind of guy who loves to hustle. Building Window Ninjas has been about setting goals, grinding, and making something that I’m proud of. But this book gave me pause. Am I giving enough of my time to the people who make my life special? Am I savoring the little moments, or am I blowing through them on the way to the next big thing?

Morrie’s advice? Stop. Take a breath. Look around. Savor the moment. These moments, he says, are where life truly happens.

2. Relationships Are Everything

How much do we take the people we love for granted? It’s not intentional, of course, but life moves fast and sometimes we don’t take the time to be fully present. Tuesdays with Morrie reminded me how important it is to slow down and reconnect with the people who mean the most.

Whether it’s your family, your friends, or even your coworkers, it’s the relationships we build that define a meaningful life. Morrie believed in being present, listening deeply, and making others feel seen and valued. Reading this, I thought a lot about my family, my team, and everyone who has been a part of my life. That’s real wealth, would you agree?

3. Purpose is Your Guiding Star

Morrie saw his illness not as a punishment but as an opportunity to live with even greater purpose. That hit me like a ton of bricks. How often do we complain about what life throws at us instead of asking ourselves, “What can I do with this?”

This is a lesson I want to take into every corner of my life. Whether it’s growing and running Window Ninjas or being a mentor to millions, purpose is what takes life from empty to extraordinary. It’s not about chasing success, it’s about creating meaning.

4. Accept Vulnerability

Morrie didn’t shy away from his reality. He faced his fears and his struggles head-on. And you know what? He shared it. That kind of raw honesty takes courage, but it’s also what allowed Morrie to connect so deeply with others.

This was a reminder that it’s okay to not have all the answers. It’s okay to not be perfect. It’s in our shared humanity that we find connection.

A Kind and Purposeful Legacy

At its heart, Tuesdays with Morrie is about the kind of legacy we leave behind. Morrie wasn’t wealthy, he didn’t have a resume filled with awards, but the impact he had on the lives of others will last forever. And that, to me, is the ultimate goal.

We’re all going to leave this world someday. That’s the one guarantee. But what will we leave behind? Memories? Inspiration? Love? For me, this book was a humbling reminder to live my life in a way that makes a difference, no matter how big or small.

Your Turn

Now it’s your turn, my friends. Ask yourself those big questions. How do you want to spend your time? What relationships matter the most to you? What’s one small thing you can do today to show someone you care?

If you haven’t read Tuesdays with Morrie yet, I couldn’t recommend it more. It’s a hard read at times, sure, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. By the end of it, you’ll feel like you’ve just sat through the most important life lesson you’ve ever had.

So grab a copy. Take a moment to reflect. And when you’re done, don’t just stop there. Use it as a catalyst to start living more intentionally. Life’s too short to hold back.

Gabe’s Golden Squeegee Rating

Now, you all know I couldn’t finish this without giving Tuesdays with Morrie my famous Golden Squeegee Rating, right? Well, I’m happy to say, this incredible book earns a solid 5 Golden Squeegees.

Why, you ask? Because it’s the whole package. It’s a quick read, but it packs a punch that stays with you long after you close the book. There’s humor sprinkled in at just the right moments to make you smile through the tears. There are countless moments of reflection that will have you pausing to think about your own life. And yes, there are definitely parts that will tug hard at your heart and leave you facing some tough, but necessary, truths about life and how you want to live it.

If there’s one book I’d pick up and read again just to see if I could uncover even more insight, this would be it. Tuesdays with Morrie isn’t just a book you read; it’s a book you experience. It makes you laugh, cry, and look inward in a way that few books can.

So here’s my challenge to you. Grab a copy. Devour it. Take the time to soak in Morrie’s lessons. Appreciate your loved ones. Think about those mentors in your life you’ve maybe taken for granted, the ones you sometimes roll your eyes at (we all do it). That person, my friends, is your Morrie. They’re out there, and their time with you is invaluable.

This book will make you reflect on how you want to live and, yes, how you might want to go out. And isn’t that the kind of reflection we all could use more of?

Until next time, stay inspired, love fully, and as always, Keep Shining!

– Gabe