<p>Assignment: Do we need other people in order to understand ourselves?</p>
<pre><code> We see a bit of ourselves in everyone we know. Often times we need to get better acquainted with these people to learn more about ourselves. These experiences may allow us to become better persons morally. Mitch, from Tuesdays with Morrie, and my friend John who went to Africa, are good model individuals that became better people as a result of their interactions with other human beings.
Mitch, the protagonist from Tuesdays with Morrie, had initially no clue where his life was going. After hearing the "bite-sized" aphorisms of Dr. Morrie Schwartz, Mitch's life changed forever. Morrie's sagacious outlook on life had given Mitch a sense of self-importance. It also gave Mitch the realization that morals above all else is essential, compared to frivolous secondary agendas. Henry David Thoreau puts this idea well when he states, "Simplicity. Simplicity. Simplicity." Mitch now knew that a simple life with great values can have great insight into himself. The fact that Morrie could persevere with his debilitating illness while still giving Mitch advice inspired Mitch to heed the advice intently.
Last July my friend John went to Africa as part of a UNICEF relief organization. John was not totally sold into this idea before he went. His parents forced him however because they wanted him to get the feel of the destitute lives present in places such as Zimbabwe. He grudgingly went along with their wishes. After seeing the impoverished neighborhoods, John became very poignant. He felt so bad for those people living without food. It changed his outlook on what is and what's not important in life. He faithfully became a lifelong volunteer to this humanitarian cause.
People can bring out the best in other people. Morrie showed Mitch that life can not be taken for granted because a life is lived just once. John's experience in Africa showed that there are greater problems in the world other than the minor, petty problems in one person's life. Morrie and the Africans profoundly impacted an individual.
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