Finding the Right Path: Reflections on Values and Personal, and Fulfillment

"Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom

Morrie and Mitch Albom

For much of my early life, I was caught in the web of American values that glorify wealth, materialism, and the pursuit of success as measured by money. I compared myself to others who seemed more successful than I was, if success meant income and status. I believed I needed to accumulate more, earn more, and spend more in order to feel like someone of value. But none of that helped me overcome the depression and sense of worthlessness that lived quietly inside me.

After graduating from college, I began my career as a high school teacher. It wasn’t the life I had hoped for, but at the time, I didn’t believe I could pursue what I truly wanted — to become a psychologist. My self-esteem was so low that I thought such a path was out of reach. So instead, I applied to graduate school and earned a master’s degree in social work.

That was when something in me began to shift. I worked in psychiatric clinics and outpatient hospital settings and slowly began to discover where I belonged. I found myself drawn to helping people heal their inner pain. It didn’t matter anymore that I wasn’t officially a psychologist. What mattered was that I loved the work, and it felt meaningful.

Later, I returned to school and earned a PhD in social psychology. I opened a private psychotherapy practice and continued my work through the pandemic, offering video sessions from home. I even lowered my fees to make therapy accessible to people who couldn’t otherwise afford it.

And here’s what I discovered. Real values have nothing to do with making a lot of money. I never became wealthy, but what I found was far more rewarding. I found purpose. I found connection. I found deep satisfaction in helping people and listening to their stories.

Reading Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and learning about the wisdom of Professor Morrie Schwartz helped clarify everything I had begun to understand. Morrie taught that materialism, status, and possessions are empty pursuits that lead to dissatisfaction. He believed, instead, in love, human connection, community, and giving to others. He lived what he taught, and those teachings helped me live a fuller and more meaningful life.

I also found these same values reflected in Buddhism, especially in the practice of mindfulness. Meditation became a way for me to slow down, notice what truly matters, and let go of the craving for more that had driven me for so long. Through mindful reflection, I began to feel gratitude for the life I had rather than yearning for what I thought I lacked.

Life can evolve. A person can change direction. But sometimes we need a guide to help us see a better way. That guide might be a friend or family member, or it might be a book — like Tuesdays with Morrie — that gently reminds us of what matters most.

I once believed success meant wealth. Now I understand that success means living with meaning, loving others, being of service, and finding peace within. That is the path Morrie walked. And I am grateful to be walking it too.