Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The Eighth Tuesday We Talk About Money
Morrie says that money is not a substitute for tenderness; neither is power. He knows this because he is dying and neither would give him the feeling he is looking for, no matter how much of both he had. People today are confused over what they want versus what they need. People are consumed by "things" and think that we get satisfaction from those "things." What truly gives people satisfaction should be devoting themselves to loving others, the community, and creating something that gives purpose and meaning by offering what you have to give (not money).
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When Morrie explains about how money is not power, I think he is wrong. He thought right by saying that it's not power, but when he says that you should replace it for money for satisfaction of loving others, the community, and creating something that gives purpose, I do not agree with him at all. Yes though all that stuff is nice it still takes something for all this to happen, like money. Example for your family with out money, you know in an economy like today that with out money your family with fall apart. Another thing is the community, usually to help out a community you would need people and those people would need money to make it better. Then finally we have creating something, again you need money to make this happen. I still agree that money doesn't give you power, but everyone knows it gives you an upper hand in any situation usually in live. But some people like Morrie said most people that have more money are crazy. Later on in the book told Mitch about how he work with a mental instate and how most of the people there were not only crazy, but very rich. I will definitely though keep this in mind the next time if I have extra money I will then give it to families, communities, or to help someone's idea that way what Morrie said would be true. Even Morrie commented (page 124) that more is usually not good. This again I agree with because the more you the more you are responsible for, and usually the more you try to get more and succeed, but most of the time you fail at controlling it.
ReplyDeleteMoney may be nice to have at times, but it does not grant happiness or power. The saying money can't buy happiness is true because of the simple fact that happiness is made not bought. Money can corrupt the mind and we soon lose what is truly the cause of happiness. Without memories of those we love and care about there is no happiness; however, money can help create those memories by going places together that are unforgettable. Places, such as the beach and Kennywood, cost money, but cause memories that last a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteMorrie speaks about how money has little or no power, but this is not entirely true. It has some power over us but not all power. It is true that the best way for satisfaction is loving and devoting yourselves to each other. But without money some basics parts of life will fall apart. You cannot help others with some things without. Morrie uses an example of someone who is good with computers teaching others how to use them. Well, you cannot teach someone how to use a computer if you do not have a computer. To get a computer, you need money. So therefore money does dictate some power over us.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but agree with Morrie when he says money isn't everything. Yes, money is nice, and it gets us through things, expensive problems. But, really, what Morrie is talking about is all the material stuff we believe we need. I mean, do you really need the newest iPhone on the market? Do you really need a different pair of sneakers for every day of the week? Some people think this, while I don't. Though new stuff is nice, when it comes down to it, I would be okay without them.
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ReplyDeleteI both agree and disagree with Morrie. I agree that money isn't everything and knowing you helped someone and/or your community is better than a paycheck but I disagree that it can't also buy happiness. I'm not talking about a big house or a new car but I'm talking about bills that need to be paid and mouths that need to be fed. A really good friend of mine has absolutely no money at the moment, can hardly feed himself, and is about to lose his house if he doesn't get cash flowing in. With the fact that he is that poor, he is rather unhappy. Now if he had money, he would be one of the happiest men alive because of the life he is living right now. Money CAN buy just as much happiness as helping someone can.
ReplyDeleteI both agree and disagree with Morrie on his view of money. In my opinion, money can make people very, very happy. From the very beginning of our lives we were brainwashed into thinking more is better. This is not true. My family has 2 vehicles, and if I had anymore it would not make me any happier. Although money can buy us things that make us happy, it won't always make us truly happy. In my opinion it all depends on the situation. If you were poor and couldn't afford food, then obviously someone giving you money would make you happy. However, it's not really the money that's making us happy. It's what you buy with the money. The population today is so consumed with media saying "more is better" that we don't truly see what's important anymore. Morrie is correct when he says objects can't replace real love. I love my family more than anything. Buying cars, or even a bigger house, would never make me happier. Objects seem to patch up a hole left by something lost, but it never stays patched, not by an object anyway. What I think Morrie is trying to teach Mitch is that people try to fill their emptiness by replacing it with materialistic objects because that is what we are taught to do growing up. Growing up, my teachers always rewarded me with materialistic things, instead of showing love and compassion. When people say, "I love my phone," they don't understand that that's not real love. Love isn't something to take for granted. Love is something that is real and that you handle with care. Money can't buy this kind of happiness. I do disagree with Morrie when he says money can't give you power because I believe it can give you an upper-hand in society. That's just the way life is. Objects will not offer the same tenderness, attention, and love that will be offered by a person if that person tries.
ReplyDelete"Status will get you nowhere." Morrie states this on page 127. I very much agree with Morrie in this chapter that everyone is always trying to show off what they have, whether it's the newest iPhone or just how much money they have. None of this truly matters. As long as you have enough money to survive and own a house and food then why do you care how much you have? Because you are brain washed. Morrie is also right when he tells Mitch how all we hear in our society is that more is better. But is more really better? Morrie also stated "neither money nor power will give you the feeling you're looking for, not matter how much of them you have." This is true. You will never get the same feeling from objects that you get from a family or friends. You only think you do because everyone was "brain washed" like Morrie said. We were all born in this world to think that. Morrie, however, thought deeper into the subject and knows that what people believe is better is untrue. Morrie also told Mitch that you get respect by offering something that you have. Giving to people, for example, the a ceppella group Morrie saw the night before this chapter, this made Morrie feel extremely happy and I'm sure the group that sang felt that way too. Doing things for others should top all of the things you get for Christmas. Spending time with your family should be first on your list. This goes along with many other holidays and events. Don't let the world tell you otherwise. People will only still envy or look down upon you until you do good for others then, as I said before, you will earn respect. The best thing is, is that you don't even have to be talented to give to others.
ReplyDeleteIf only Morrie could see how much power our money truly is. We rely on pieces of cotton-paper and metal to run our lives. Without this we have nothing but family and friends. Sure we devote ourselves, but in the end, it all comes down to money. We buy presents for our loved ones every year for Christmas or Hanukkah, or an anniversary. It’s something we don’t just want to do, but these days it is counted on you bring a present. Let’s all give up money for one day, I guarantee there will be mass shootings or there will be a ten percent increase in robbers.
ReplyDelete“Neither money nor power will give you the feeling you’re looking for, no matter how much of them you have.” There will always be a hole in your heart that can’t be filled with materialistic things, even if you are the richest person in the world. Without love, compassion, kindness, and friendship, there will always be something that is missing from your life. Just like Morrie said, society tries to brainwash us into thinking that more money is better. Money is an essential part of our everyday lives. We rely on it to purchase a variety of things. Money is necessary, but there is a big difference between what people need and what people want. We all need to spend money on food in order to survive. On the other hand, you might want a really nice car or a bigger house, but you can manage to live without them. Money can buy some happiness, but it can’t buy the love and compassion that everyone needs.
ReplyDeleteSince it is almost Christmas time, and while it's all starting to come into our minds, do we all really need all of this materialistic stuff? I actually went Black Friday shopping this past week, and I was actually sickened by the amount of people jostling the register counter to be the first to buy the newest phone, HDTV, or tablet. I even told my mother what I thought and she agreed. No one understands anymore what money IS for.
ReplyDeleteMoney doesn't matter. The poorest people know that this is true. That's why most of them are more thankful over the little things than the average joe. How could humankind let such small pieces of metal and paper dictate their lives? It's easy. I think that we've tried to create tangible objects to substitute and display the feelings that we have when we accomplish a task. The bigger the buck, the better you did, right? Not true.
Money creates a division between the "rich" and the "poor." I put both of those words in quotes because there is no difference. Those terms are only social status labels. We're all humans, with beating hearts and a left and right side. We should see each other as personalities, not walking wallets and purses. If we could destroy all of the money worldwide, and let ourselves be ruled by feelings, most notably gratitude, kindness, and love, then the world would definitely be a better place.
Most people think money brings happiness but it doesn't. Money also does not define if your poor or rich, if your happy or sad. Morrie describes that money does not make him happy. What everyone wants and what people need is different. What you need is things so you can survive, what you need is what is not essential for you to live. Most people take having money for granted because they have it but other people are not so lucky to get everything they want.
ReplyDeleteEveryone knows the saying, “You can’t buy happiness,” and that is exactly what Morrie believes. He says not to get wrapped up in the material things of the world, but just enjoy life. You do not always need the newest stuff to be happy. Sometimes, all you need is a hug and someone telling you that they care. Just spending some quality time with someone can be the thing that makes their day. When I was in Haiti, I spent one afternoon playing soccer with some Haitian kids. I could have been back at the compound resting, but that soccer game made their week. I also played with two little kids, and gave them some inexpensive stickers. It is amazing how something as simple as a game of soccer or a few stickers could make someone so happy. Morrie mentions spending time with residents of a home for the elderly, and how just playing a simple game of cards with them meant so much. Since money can not make you truly happy, we need to find a new means of finding happiness. The source of that happiness could even come in something as simple as a smile.
ReplyDeleteObviously the purpose of this chapter is to explain that money and power are not a replacment for tenderness love or happiness. Its saying that buying the newest and best car or the biggest house with the nicest things doesnt really matter. Morrie basically says that we need to get our priorities straight. Doing things for other people and spending time with people and families is what matters. Serving others is what will make you and the people you serve is a great cause. Morrie says that what people really want is affection from others and money wont give us that.
ReplyDeleteYour social status does not dictate what sort of person you are. Money has no value compared to all the time and love you can give. It doesn't matter whether or not you have the newest car or the best house, all that really matters is how much of yourself you can give to your community. You can go out and clean highways, volunteer for a local fundraiser, or simply help people. This is the greatest pleasure you can get in life.
ReplyDelete"You need food, you want a chocolate sundae." Money. One thing everyone wants more of. Of course moneys good to have but if you keep buying things to make yourself happy then your missing something. Whether it's love or anything else, money can't fix it. You might think it does but you're only hiding the truth. Morrie was right when he said that. I feel that money makes people envious and greedy. The more money you have, the more you want and when someone has more than you, you'll do almost anything to get more than them. Money almost seems like a completion. Think of sports as an example. If there's a player without a team, there's only one obvious choice. He gonna go to the team tht offered him the most money. We all need money to survive and get the essential things that we need, but if we just want money to make other people jealous, then this world will turn into nothing.
ReplyDeleteYes money isn't the key to receiving happiness, but it is a pleasure for a lot of people. In Morries case I don't believe one bit that money would play any role in his happiness. Money is a pleasure, or want. Not a need. Love is a need which is what Morrie needs. Having money is nice but I'd rather be loved by the people I care about then to be consumed with me to obtain my happiness. I agree 100% with Morrie on this topic.
ReplyDelete"More is good," this is what Morrie says that people think today. Everyone wants to be the richest, or the person that has the most. Yet money is not everything. Money and other materials can not show you love, compassion, or kindness. Morrie shows us to get what we need not what we want. Many people today just buy or get what they what and not what they need. They want more things so they keep buying them, but if they bought the things they need and maybe one thing that they want that would have more time for things to do. To find the right person to be with. Also to accept love in people not materials. You will be able to give others your time and they will return the favor. Money and materials are not everything. Friendship and love is. Giving to people will help them more than you can imagine, and not just giving then materials, giving them you time, kindness, and compassion.
ReplyDeleteToo much money can never bring happiness. Many people think that there is no such thing as "too much money," but there is. Money only makes people greedy and it is only use for covering up unhappiness with big expensive things. Everyone wants more money to buy more "happiness," but they only do this because they are told to. They are brainwashed to do it by every business in America because those businesses want more "happiness." That is what Morrie is saying on this Tuesday. He is saying that the only true happiness you can find is in giving what you have, not money, to other people. you can give your time and teach your talents.
ReplyDeleteHaving lot of money is not always the best thing. Money can change people. Everybody want to be rich, but not everyone gets to fulfill that dream. Having a lot money is nice, but it can't make you happy forever. It can make you greedy and want more. Then that's when you get mad or unhappy, because you can't have all the money in the world. I like to have money, I mean who doesn't, but I don't want so much that I'm going to go crazy, and buy every expensive thing I see. If people with a lot of money gave to people who were less fortunate, then we would have less homeless people.
ReplyDeleteDuring this visit, Morrie and Mitch talk about money. Morrie starts off with saying "We've got a form of brainwashing going on in our country". He says that this form of brainwashing is making us believe that more is good when it really isn't. We don't need more money or property to make ourselves happy, but we proceed to think this. Although people think that items and money can replace missing things in their life, it doesn't work like that. Having money or things will never make you truly feel better.
ReplyDeleteWe are all guilty when it comes to money and material things, especially around this time of year. Everyone is thinking about what they want for Christmas, and not focusing on what really matters. In our culture everyone always wants more, bigger property, bigger house, newer car, we are never satisfied. We are the same way, we want the newest phone, or anything else that is new. Morrie interprets this as these people are so hungry for love, that they are accepting material subsitutes. Money is no substitute for tenderness. Morrie is dying and he does not want material gifts, he wants love, kindness, and tenderness. People don`t really get satisfaction from materials, we get satisfaction by giving others our time, friendship, and love. It gives us a sense of meaning. This society needs to stop focusing on money, and start focusing on what really matters.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Morrie. I don't think money can buy happiness. Buying more things will not truly make us happy. Materialistic things like cars and houses do not give you the same love as people do. It is important to reach out to our community and help other people. Helping people makes me very happy, and that's why I always help my neighbors with their yard care. I don't agree with Morrie when he says money cannot buy power. I think that if you have money you have a better chance of getting what you want, like a job. It is sad, but many people judge you on how much money you have.
ReplyDelete“Money is not a substitute for tenderness, and power is not a substitute for tenderness.” (Page 125) What I think Morrie is trying to say is that people in today’s society try to buy happiness, love and affection. I find this statement to be true, people with money can buy friends and the new shiny toy that everyone wants, most of them will brag about it to make them feel empowered. But having fake friends and that new shiny toy is not a substitute for love. More people need to realize that money cannot buy happiness, or love. Some people will try to argue that with money, more people will want to be friends with you, but they don’t want you they are not attracted to you they are attracted to your money. To them, they just have to deal with you to get to the real prize: your money. I think everyone can agree that money and power are not synonyms for love, and they never will be.
ReplyDeleteMoney cannot buy happiness. Yes, you get happy after buying something that you wanted but that happiness never actually stays very long. For example, think of all of the toys you had when you were younger, think of how happy they once made you, think of how happy you were when you bought them or received them. Where are the toys now? Do they still make you happy? No. What makes you happy are the memories you make in your life. When people die you always here the expression, "you can't take it with you." For example you cannot take a brand new car that you bought with you with you when you pass away, but you can take memories with you. Having money brings around a lot of fake friends. People that will only use you for your money. Money honestly cannot buy happiness, family and true friends make you happy.
ReplyDelete"There is a big confusion in this country of what we want and what we need (pg. 126)." Everybody wants more money, newer things, a better home. When you are searching for that feeling of being needed by someone else, money won't fill it. "Money or power will not give you the feeling you are looking for, no matter how much of them you have (pg. 125)." Morrie's statements are right on the money. Even as a young adult, I still enjoy having a ton of money. I need to try and forget about money. I need to try not to be greedy. Morrie has taught me that what is really important in life isn't money, but the love from your family and friends. Having the newest thing will not make those above me equal to me and it will make those below me envy me. "Only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone (pg. 128)."
ReplyDeleteYou cannot take it with you when you die! Money is much wanted in this world, but it means nothing when you look at yourself and your heart as a person. Morrie could not be more right when he says, "We put our values in the wrong things. And it leads to very disillusioned lives." I will admit it when I get older I want a big house, a lot of money, the biggest grill I can find, but none of that means anything in the end. Morrie influenced me to instead of strive for more and more and more, to instead watch how much I value material things. I would rather give my time to someone else and try my best not to be too avaricious.
ReplyDeletein the seventh Tuesday visit, Morrie gives Mitch a lesson in not caring about material things. He says that you shouldn't care about money. But instead the things you should strive for are entities that make you feel good emotions. Things like music. Like Morrie said, now that he has ALS, he feels that things like music have more power and are able to make him feel things differently than how it was before. The reason all of this is true is because money cant buy happiness of love. You can only buy love with love, and happiness with more happiness. If you think about it, its more like a tradeoff.
ReplyDeleteIn our society today money is highly valued. Money gives one the power to buy the next greatest, new thing. Morrie has shown me that money does not buy happiness. After knowing this I still desire to have new things. Often is the case that people think these new things will bring happiness and love, but they never do. Another common misconception that people have is the difference between what you need and what you want. More often then not, you want something and do not need it.
ReplyDeleteMoney isn't everything. Most of us believe that out things or the money we have is what makes us who we are. Thats not true at all. To me it shouldn't be about who has the best house or the most expensive clothes, or the nicest house. It's about who you are on the inside. Like Morrie said it's the people you help or do things for that make you feel like you are needed, not your care or your house. I actually like helping people. It makes me feel good to know that you put that smile on their face or maybe even made their day a little bit better.
ReplyDeleteI think that money is power. The world revolves around money. One thing money can't do is bring you true happiness or true love. I'm not going to lie I like material things a lot. I want those cool new shoes or that new gaming system but those things wont love me. You should never try to substitute material things for people. After reading this chapter, I think I should focus on different things more than material things. "Only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone." - Morrie Schwartz
ReplyDeleteOn the eight Tuesday Morrie and Mitch talked about money. Morrie says that he is happy, not because he has money or material things, but because he can give his knowledge and tell people. I feel that although money is required in life and it is nice to have, having a lot of money is not necessary. As Morrie said you cannot take money or other material possessions to the grave. He also says that what brings him true happiness is telling and giving to people. Once you realize money is not happiness, you will live a better life.
ReplyDeleteOn The Eighth Tuesday Mitch and Morrie talk about money. Some people in the world have a lot of money and some people don't have any money at all. When I see people on the street begging for money I feel sad and thankful at the same time. I feel thankful for what I have. On page 126 Morrie says "There's a big confusion in this country over what we want versus what we need." I agree with Morrie on this, because when I go to the store I always catch myself saying " Mom I want this," but really I don't need that thing.
ReplyDeleteMorrie says money does not equal happiness. I do agree with him, but also disagree. money can buy you what you desire, such as fancy cars and a big house. There is a limit on what desires you can fullfill with money though, you cant buy friends or love with money (depending on the situation). Someone should be able to love you or have a friendship with you, but not based on how much money you have, but on trustworthiness, support and generosity toward that person. Having a friend, family member spouse or partner with money does seem to make you happy for a while, but in the long run it can get old. I can't say Morrie is 100% correct on this topic, but I still agree on some things he had to say.
ReplyDeleteOn the eighth day they walk about money. Not everybody is blessed with a ton of money, theres homeless people everywhere so be thankful for what you do have. Morrie says on page 125 "Money is not a substitute for tenderness, and power is not a substitute for tenderness. i can tell you, as I am sitting here dying, when you most need it, neither money nor power will give you the feeling you're looking for,no matter how much of them you have" and i agree money doesn't make you happy
ReplyDelete"Money is not a substitute for tenderness, and power is not a substitute for tenderness." This is a great statement made by Morrie and I agree with it completely. So many people are worried about buying the next best thing, having the newest clothes, or car, but in reality what will you do with all this stuff when you die? Money can only make you happy temporary though. Say you buy a video a new video game, and well it keeps you happy for a couple months, but then another new video game comes out and you want that. You just keeping wanting the nest big thing and what about the old video game? Will the game just sit there? "There is a big confusion in this country over what we want verses what we need," Morrie says. Money can do a lot of things, but it can not get you true love. Yes, you probably could get someone but they would only be using you for your money not who you really are. I think sometimes money does make people happier though. It makes them feel good about themselves, and that they fit in. I disagree and agree when Morrie says that money can't give you satisfaction. Having money can make you feel like you satisfied at your job or however you got it. Also just by helping someone else, such as old people can give you a satisfaction just by doing a good deed. In the long run though money isn't a thing that can fix all situations, and make you happy.
ReplyDeleteMorrie is a down to earth man. He is greatful for all the things and people in his life. Morrie never really seemed to be concerned with material goods such as money or clothes. He says that when he would travel, everyone was concerned about how much money they had and about getting the newest anc coolest thing. But that never really seemed to bother Morrie. He never got the rush that they got. He always seemed to be content with what he had.
ReplyDeleteThis chapter can be appropriately summarized by the cliché: “Money does not buy you happiness.” Morrie said, “These people were so hungry for love that they were accepting substitutes. They were embracing material things and expecting a sort of hug back. But it never works.” As you age, you begin to decipher the finer things in life, such as finding happiness in giving. There are a lot of people who are not able to experience the simple things that we take for granted. Giving what you have can change their lives. The gifts you present to the less fortunate do not have to be materialistic. Things such as skills, talents, and companionship can go a long way. In today’s society, too many people have their heads wrapped around the idea that money is makes us happy, which is incorrect. Yes, it is nice to have, but in the long run, what really matters is feeling true happiness brought by helping others to improve their outlook on life.
ReplyDeleteOn this Tuesday, Morrie tells Mitch an important statement. " 'It's all part of the same problem, Mitch,' Morrie said. 'We put our values in the wrong things.' " What Morrie is telling Mitch is that money and things similar to it cannot bring happiness. Happiness lies within the hearts of those who enjoy life and the loved ones around them. I feel that Morrie is correct. We live in a world where almost everything evolves around money, but is money our true happiness? I don't think it is. Happiness is something brought by someone who puts a positive affect on you. It's a form of love and friendship which money does not bring.
ReplyDeleteMorrie is a very respectful man. He is not the type that has money flying around him, he's the type to have family and friends and some nurses flying around him though. I think that money is a huge factor in the world we live in. Some people are greedy and snotty but then some are respectful and generous. Why favor the rich and snotty? Money may be a big part of our lives but that shouldn't change who you are on the inside. I know that if you have the coolest clothes or the nicest car you may feel the best, but it's the personality that matters the most. No matter what show people your good side. Reputations build up quickly. Lets us all accept that yes, the world is legitimately made of money if you put that in perspective, but its the people that are different and it's the people that actually matter.
ReplyDelete"...Devote to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." ~page 127
ReplyDeleteThis is Morrie's advice towards having a meaningful life. Nothing in his tips say anything about money, right? It's like that because money doesn't complete your life! Love and companionship completes a meaningful life! He states that volunteering to at an old folks home would be well appreciated and earn him respect. Respect is an essential key to life as well. I agree with Morrie and his points that were made. Money ISN'T everything.
Money can not buy happiness and Morrie knows this. When your dying of an untreatable disease, money is no longer a pleasure. Many people think of the amount of money you, is where you stand on the social ladder. Well those people are wrong. A genially good person, doesn't look at how much money you have before they become your friend. They look at you personality and your morals. Money is nice but it's not beautiful. In many situations, money takes the best of people. When this occurs they lose all that was close to them, including; friends, morals, family, ect. Life isn't about how much many it makes, it's about the memories and friends you make. Because in the end, the money will not always be there, friends and family will.
ReplyDeleteI always hear my family talking about winning the lottery, I guess they are the type of people that Morrie is talking about. I don't agree with Morrie, some poeple actually find tenderness in their wealth. Some people find love in the fancy things they buy. However, I DO agree with him when he said what you need is very different than what you want. I am begining to figure that concept out. I think I will start to live more like Morrie a lot more after I figure it out completely.
ReplyDeleteIn Morrie and Mitch's 8th Tuesday together, I can select a thing I do not agree completely with Morrie on. They were talking about money and wealth this Tuesday and I disagree with the opinion made saying money does not buy happiness. In my opinion, money can buy happiness. I see it everyday. Money does buy clothes and food for the needy, and I know they are happy to receive it. Now Morrie also says, "money is not a substitute for tenderness." I can not agree with this either. Though no one wants to admit it, and no one wants it to be true, money does make people smile.
ReplyDelete