Throughout Tuesdays with Morrie, the focus was on life. Many might see it as the story of death, but it is actually the story of life. Morrie might talk a little about how he encounters death, but what he's talking about is living at the end of his life. Mitch writes: “Now here we were. . . . . . The dying man speaks to the living man, telling him what he should know. this importance. I looked for parts of the book that directly relate to my life; I focused on this concept while reading this book. My thesis remained elusive. There wasn't a Tuesday that jumped out at me, and then I came to the chapter of culture. I have already incorporated many of the lessons Morrie presented to Mitch into my life: value relationships and value happiness with what you have, instead of the unsatisfactory perception of happiness in things or status; Love openly with a generous heart, even if I struggle with it; Knowing when to hold on and when to let go, both in relationships and in mental confusions; understanding death as a part of life and not clinging to the body as the whole of oneself. Morrie’s “truth” about culture is my biggest distraction from happiness. The constant barrage of a cynical, materialistic, entitlement-based culture makes it difficult to maintain perspective and is my greatest challenge. Who we are as people reflects the culture in which we grew up. You can choose how you live your life and what defines it, and as impossible as it may seem, you can choose culture. He listened to the words Morrie spoke at the university, but could no longer hear Morrie's message. Idealist Mitch drifted into the middle of a paper...that's where you're naive. Your pity is scorned, and it is difficult to have an open heart in the face of a closed mind. But I see Morrie's light. Build your community of love and understanding around you, not to isolate you from the world, but to support your spirit. When Morrie says, “I have so many people who have been involved with me, in a very intimate way. And love is how you stay alive, even after you're gone. » (Albom, 133) The culture and community adopted by Morrie are made up of the intimate people involved in Morrie's life. The love that endures after you die speaks to the idea that the memories and feelings you leave behind for others will influence the culture you have built and culture in general. Like Morrie, I want the friends I leave behind to share the happiness I found and the joy I helped create. Works CitedAlbom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie Broadway Books 1997