Unexpected Moments, Unfolding Wisdom with Mitch Albom

What Mitch Albom Taught Me About Hope, Mistakes, and Meaning

Recently, I had the privilege of attending a conversation with Mitch Albom—best known as the sports journalist who became a beloved memoirist after publishing Tuesdays with Morrie. That book, a tribute to his college professor Morrie Schwartz, chronicles their final conversations as Morrie battled ALS. Mitch originally recorded their discussions to help pay Morrie's medical expenses, unaware of how profoundly the book would touch the world. His insights can transform our perspectives and inspire us to seek meaning in our lives.

I first read Tuesdays with Morrie when I was far too young to grasp its depth, yet I've returned to it for inspiration again and again. Two years ago, I heard Mitch speak live for the first time. I had been scouring events in Washington, D.C., looking for something meaningful—not a concert or sports game, but something rooted in learning. I drove 38 minutes to Grace United Methodist Church, where Mitch spoke to a modest crowd of about 50-60 people, mostly older churchgoers. The talk was part of their Faith in Action series, a program that brings in speakers to discuss how faith can be put into action in our daily lives.

That afternoon, he spoke about his book A Stranger in the Lifeboat, which tells the story of people stranded at sea who encounter someone claiming to be God. During an interview with Carrie Fox, he shared three pivotal moments that changed his life—one of them being his accidental entry into Morrie's class on the first day of college. That "mistake" altered the course of his life.

I remember sitting in that pew, struck by how the smallest, most mundane moments can carry so much meaning. His story made me reflect on my own—on the times when things felt off-course, only to reveal unexpected purposes later. Mitch reminded us that what we often label mistakes or detours might be the moments that guide us toward our true selves.

That spark of inspiration led me to take action. It encouraged me to create rooh—a space where people can find transformative experiences and meaningful insights from experts across different fields. 'rooh' is an Arabic term, meaning 'soul’. It represents what we aim to achieve: a space that nourishes the soul and fosters personal growth. Because if one conversation can change a life, imagine what's possible when we create space for many.

The Power of Hope

This past weekend, over two years later, Mitch once again inspired the same packed church with a perspective on hope. He emphasized that hope is not just a dream, but a belief in a better future. He challenged us to consider what we carry daily. Do we carry our careers, our grief, our bank accounts? He encouraged us to drop these heavy weights and choose hope instead. He urged us to view hope not as a passive state, but as an active choice that drives us forward.

Many of us sitting in the audience had never deeply considered the weight of what we carry each day. We often rush through life focused on tasks and goals, but Mitch invited us to pause and reflect. He reminded us that hope is not passive; it is about caring, showing kindness, and taking action. His words served as a comforting reminder of hope's immense power in an overwhelming and volatile world.

Mitch's latest book, The Little Liar, set in World War II Greece and narrated by Truth, explores how those in power influence our understanding of truth. Throughout the narrative, hope emerges as a vital lifeline for characters facing the darkness of war. This book offers not just a captivating story but also a meditation on integrity and resilience. Mitch's reflections and storytelling together highlight the enduring strength of hope, urging us to carry it with us every day.

Final Thought

Mitch Albom has a rare gift—not just as a writer but as a reminder that every conversation matters. Every "mistake" might hold meaning. And every one of us has the power to carry hope, not just for ourselves, but for one another.

At rooh, that's the spirit we hope to capture: creating space for those chance moments, deep insights, and meaningful connections that help us carry the right things—and let go of the rest.

www.withrooh.com