OCR Text |
Show flslE The mmeconimig off life, revisited By Jim Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man , a Young Man and the Last Great Lesson Written by Mitch Albom 192 pages For nearly 96 weeks, Mitch Alboms nonfiction book, Tuesdays with Morrie, has been at (or very near) the top of the New York Times Bestseller list. The book recounts a series of visits between Albom and his favorite college professor, Morrie Schwartz. Albom has not seen Morrie for 20 years, but begins visiting him routinely on Tuesday mornings when he finds out Morrie is dying of Lou Gerhigs disease. During these visits, Morrie shares his thoughts on the meaning of which, by and large, boil down to worrying less about getting ahead, loving more, and remembering that your days are numbered. It has all been said before, by Buddha, Jesus, Boethius and the life Dalai Lama. However, even if such advice seems a tad cliche, it is worth hearing again in these hectic times. Morries advice is particularly appropriate for consumption-craze- d Americans, represented by Albom himself. Albom is something of a workaholic at the beginning of the text, one of the most successful sports writers in America, frantically chasing the goals of bigger homes, nicer cars, more money, more achievements. His life of doing five things at once is jolted when he sees Morrie on ABCs Nightline talking about dying. Shamed by his failure to keep in touch, Albom decides to visit his old professor and mentor. Deeply touched by this initial visit and then released from work by a labor strike at the newspaper at which he works, Albom resolves to make weekly visits to Morrie. Their discussions on death, fear, aging, greed, marriage, family, society, forgiveness and a meaningful life constitute the bulk of the book. At the heart of Morrie s message is that human relationships matter more than A meaningful anything else in the life, according to Morrie, is achieved by devoting yourself to loving others, devoting yourself to your community, and devoting yourself to creating something that gives you purpose. Salary, he says, is Business, Retirement, and Estate Planning at U.S. Bancorp Piper Sense G3bancorp Piper Jaffray. B. Swearingen Durango, CO Vice President Investments Rodney Tasse completely inconsequential. Well, of course. Be nice to others and stop grubbing after money are points philosophers have made for centuries. But they are worth hearing from time to time, especially when presented in Alboms breezy, prose. Although it deals with heavy topics, Tuesdays with Morrie is a light, and at times, comical book. It might make you sad, but it will make you smile, too. Although I enjoyed Tuesdays with Morrie and felt myself nodding at its good advice, I was also subtly disturbed at Alboms Despite all the talk of spiritual transformation and transcendence, he takes pains to describe (dare I low-calor- fantasy and reality when it comes to boomers retirement plans, siid Patty Peterson, vice president of Protect Your Future Dollars & "The question isnt at what age I want to retire, its at what income. - George Foreman (Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion) ie say with a touch of egotism?) his achievements in life. Call me cynical, but it is also interesting that Albom makes trips to his old mentor after he loses his job. His conversations with Morrie are not the result a gnawing need for spiritual guidance as much as they are the coincidence of suddenly having a lot of free time. I suppose it is easy to disdain the pursuit of money if you have enough. Albom is already well off when he loses he has enough money to rouhis job tinely travel from Detroit to Cambridge. And w ithout doubt, Tuesdiys with Morrie has made Albom richer still. I found myself wondering if this book wasn't just - another symptom of Alboms ambitious, achievement-drive- n lifestyle - now he can add spiritual guru to his list of successes. I winder if hes back at w ork yet. My cynicism aside, this book does have the power to make people take stock of their lives. My wife, who loves the book, has given it to three of her friends. All three quit their jobs and sought more satisfying paths. (Employers may want to keep this text off the coffee room bookshelves.) It is good to be reminded that there is more to life than money, especially when one is reminded in a pleasant and tender narrative. Npw take the rest of the day off from your meaningless job and go visit someone you care about. Jim Tasse Phinallyjinished his doctorate in English and is now paying off his loans with his columns. Ifyou know of a CD or book you think he should review, him at tassetogether.net. ail Sailing off the coast of Fiji, visiting the pyramids, touring Vatican City, standing atop the Eiffel Towrer are all admirable goals for your retirement. But if youre a baby boomer, chances are you may not be ready to achieve any of them. Americas baby boom generation (people born between 1946-196is starting to look more closely at retirement, and, not surprisingly, most seem to have big plans for 0) 'their post employment years. -- According to a recent survey done by U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray, more than 45 percent of baby boomers plan to travel extensively during retirement. About the same number plan to move after they retire. Trouble is, our survey revealed that boomers have limited funds to fulfill these big - and financially demanding dreams. Almost (62 percent) of the boomers surveyed have annual household incomes of less than $25,000. And nearly 40 percent fear running out of money as a retiree. Baby boomers have been known for their drive for instant gratification and theres no indication that will stop when they reach retirement. The survey makes it clear that theres a hug gulf between - two-thir- ds Jaffray. Although boomers dream of traveling and moving during retirement, their financial situations will hold many of them back. What is even more surprising is almost 24 percent of the boomers surveyed do not have any money saved for retirement. And nearly three quarters said they do not have a formal written retirement plan developed with a financial professional. Creating a retirement plan is crucial to help make your retirement dreams a reality. The better prepared you are for retirement, the more likely you will be to be able to enjoy it. Baby boomers are looking for three things in retirement - the opportunity to travel, the ability to move, and ironically, the chance to work. Traveling and moving are both financially demanding and most boomers have a long way to go before they can meet these goals. Returning to work may be the only way many of them can make it through retirement. Retirement is about fulfilling lifelong dreams, finding happiness, and being free of financial anxiety. But without a retirement plan, reaching these goals is a long shot. Consulting with an investment professional is a good first step on your road to an ideal retirement. Invest in your dreams for retirement and start planning for the future. (MarketFacts conducted a national phone survey for IL. Bancorp Piper 1999. Respondents Jaffray on May included 402 people between the ages of 35 and 54.) 7-- 9, Rodney P. Swearingen is Vice Pivsident with the Durango office of U.S. Bancorp Pivr Jaffray Inc., a full senice investment firm founded in IS95 Member SIIV, M SP, Inc. Xondcposit investment products are not msunxl by the It '1C. are not Jcjvmts or other cblisations otoryuaran-tecby the V.S. Rink Xational Assccution or its affiliates. and tmohv investment risks, im ludny feasible kiss the principal amount invested. Securities prcxhicts and sctxkcs are ottered through I.S Rtncorp Vvr Ultra v Inc., member SIIV and XYSE. Inc., a subsidiary ot I .S. Rtncorp. Brought to you by... U.S. BANCORP PIPER JAFFRAY, INC. OF DURANGO, CO 1 199 Main Ave. Suite 201, Durango, CO 9 or (970) 385-694- Flease visit us at our offices in the Bums Bank building. September 17, 1999 - Cross Currents 17 |