The Mexican Fisherman Story. How Much Money Is Enough?
The Mexican Fisherman Story. How Much Money Is Enough?
If you haven’t heard the Mexican Fisherman Story it is definitely worth the time. It is a short story but a great lesson. Create a life you don’t need a vacation from. Let that sink in for a minute. If you know what really matters in life you may be much closer to it than you think. “Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from.” ~Seth Godin. Posting this to put some perspective in all the hard work people do.
Once upon a time, a young and ambitious Harvard MBA graduate decided to take a vacation in Mexico. While he was there, he met an old fisherman who was lounging on the beach. The MBA, impressed by the fisherman’s simple lifestyle, asked him how he could be so contented with such little ambition.
The fisherman replied, “I wake up early each morning, go out to sea, catch enough fish to feed my family and sell a few at the market, and then spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach with my family. I have everything I need and I am happy with my simple life.”
The MBA, on the other hand, was driven by the desire to be successful and make a lot of money. He asked the fisherman how much he made each year. The fisherman replied, “I make about $20,000 a year.”
The MBA was shocked and told the fisherman that he could make a lot more money if he had a business plan and worked harder. He offered to teach him how to run a successful business, but the fisherman simply smiled and said, “But then, what would I do with all that money? I am happy with my simple life, and I have all I need.”
The MBA, not understanding the fisherman’s contentment, decided to return to his fast-paced, materialistic lifestyle. However, the fisherman’s words stayed with him and he began to question the true purpose of his pursuits. He realized that the fisherman’s simple, fulfilling life was something he truly desired.
Eventually, the MBA quit his job and moved to Mexico, where he lived a simple but fulfilling life, fishing and spending time with his family. He realized that true happiness and fulfillment comes from living a life with purpose and simplicity, rather than chasing material wealth and success.
Quotes about Happiness – Don’t Forget to Enjoy Today!
- “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” ~Confucius
- “Health is the greatest gift, contentment is the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” ~Buddha
- “Just become totally content and happy from within. Then you will get all that you want.” ~Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
- “Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.” ~Thomas Jefferson
- “The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.” ~Henry Ward Beecher
- “They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: Someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” ~Tom Bodett
- “The only thing that will make you happy is being happy with who you are, and not who people think you are.” ~Goldie Hawn
- “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” ~Oprah Winfrey
- “Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.” ~Jim Rohn
- “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.” ~Lao Tzu
- “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” ~Buddha
