I love this story and revisit it often.
It’s such a good reminder for me to take stock of what I want and what I have right now.
I’m very grateful to say that I have those things, not on a grand scale, which I don’t want or need anyway.
The truth is I prefer to keep things simple.
There are so many influences both inside and outside our heads, telling us that when we have the latest iPhone, a better job, more money, a bigger house, faster car, new clothes, losing 5 kilos, more this, more that etc etc life will be easier and oh so much better.
The reality is that constant striving and pushing forward to get those things, creates discontent and unnecessary suffering, in our own minds.
It’s easy to find so much joy and happiness in what we already have, being present and noticing is all that needs to be done.
Life is for living and enjoying now.
Don’t wait.
Leave me a comment if the Story of the Mexican Fisherman gives you something to think about.
An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”
The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”
“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”
“Millions – then what?”
The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
Photo by Joanna Szumska on Unsplash
