Morrie in His Own Words: Life Wisdom from a Remarkable Man

'To Morrie, life was a process of opening oneself lovingly - to other people, to the world, ultimately to something larger than ourselves. To the last instant, Morrie was full of wonder and joy. The way he lived his final year was this great teacher's final lesson.' Paul Solman, from the introductionAt the age of seventy-seven, sociology professor Morrie Schwartz learned that he had motor neurone incurable, progressively disabling and eventually fatal. Undaunted, he embraced his illness, choosing to live as fully as possible in the time he had left. He also embarked on his greatest teaching adventure, sharing his evolving knowledge of living while dying.Previously published as "Letting Go," "Morrie in His Own Words" offers Morrie Schwartz's remarkable philosophy. He writes with great humour and compassion, combining wise sayings, inspiring lessons and practical advice, showing that it's never too late to become the kind of person you'd like to be. This book is a magnificent legacy of love, forgiveness, transcendence and redemption - a guide to living fully to the end of your days.

Preceding the phenomenal success of Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie, in which Albom discusses his weekly visits with his mentor, Morrie, as Morrie faces death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Morrie Schwartz published his own book, Letting Go: Morrie's Reflections of Living While Dying.

Schwartz intended his words to be read by people dying of terminal illnesses with passages titled ,"Living with Physical Limitations," "Grieving for Your Losses," and "Reviewing the Past." Yet, just as in the case in Tuesdays with Morrie, this collection of plainspoken reflections transcends the "death and dying" category and is more aptly shelved in one's inspiration and spirituality collection.

For example, Schwartz's simple thoughts on courage could speak to any seeker of enlightenment.

"Dealing bravely with physical pain or accidents takes one kind of courage," he writes. "Facing life as it is and accepting it requires another....I have found courage through seeking thoughtfulness, openheartedness, detachment, and other responses that make up a composed life and a calm response to illness....I hope that I can continue in this way to the end so that I die with inner peace.

As it was, on November 4, 1995, Morrie Schwartz died just as he hoped he would.

In 1999, Walker & Company decided to reissue Letting Go under a new title, Morrie: in His Own Words --Gail Hudson