The businessman then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish? The fisherman said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The businessman then asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time? The fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a nap with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my friends; I have a full and busy life."
The businessman scoffed, "I have my MBA, and I 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 and eventually open your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to the city, then LA and eventually New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise."
The fisherman asked, "But how long will this all take?" To which the businessman replied, "15-20 years." "But what then?" The businessman 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 businessman 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 a nap with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your friends."
The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "Isn't that what I'm doing right now?"
-Author Unknown
Photo from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmead/5069397412/
This story really puts one's priorities into perspective. The fisherman has everything he wants, a quality of life, a family, and a means to support them. The businessman's questioning of the fisherman's aspirations, and urging him to do more and more just to afford himself the same lifestyle he is already enjoying seemed silly, but it is very much like what many of us to do everyday. Overlooking the small joys in life to stressfully push ourselves further and further, more money, more stuff, more disconnect from our loved ones...and for what? Retirement? If we wait for retirement, we have wasted our lives striving for those "special" relaxing, content, family, loving moments we have already missed along the way. Thanks so much for the story. I have been really missing out on life lately, too focused on extraneous elements that have placed my family and my sanity on the back burner. I believe you may have changed my life a little on the 23rd day : ) !
ReplyDeleteI felt the exact same way when I first read this story. However, I had an interesting conversation with some peers, and of course, every story has many sides and perspectives. While it makes the most sense for the fisherman to continue his life as is, since he is fulfilled and is getting what he and his family need, it is important to also consider the other side of the story which contributes to the world by creating more jobs and so on. That being said (and fulfilling my role as devil's advocate) I agree with you, Erin. What I take from this story is the perspective on our priorities.
ReplyDeleteI've read this story many times before and like you said, I have come away with a different take each time. In reading your comment and Erin's too, I'm fighting back tears. No, don't worry ladies about making me cry! I've just been struggling with so much lately and probably just need a reallllllly good cry but I always choke it back. Don is such a peaceful, quiet, and naive guy, that I think if I broke down and cried hard in front of him, he would just fall to pieces. (He does not know what pain is, he's hardly ever had a cold, let alone anything else).
ReplyDeleteI have decided that I will NOT do this to my body anymore. I won't put Don and our new life together on hold. We still have not had a honeymoon because I didn't have days to take off. (can't use our sick days for that). As soon as this master's program is over, I'm going to update my resume and then I will be looking for another job. Teaching in some capacity? I don't know. I took my masters in technology for the idea that I might be able to use some of these skills in another field of work. I do love teaching. I hate all the paperwork, the changes, the cutback, the additional job requirements that are constantly being added.....
Erin, as you asked, Waiting for retirement?, I'm afraid if I wait until then, my health won't hold up and then I will spend my retirement days sitting on a porch somewhere talking about all my ailments. I'd rather be sitting on the porch drinking cold lemonade that I just made from my own lemon tree after I spent the day working in my garden!
On a porch with cold lemonade from your lemon trees sounds like a great idea! Don't forget the chair hammock or a porch swing, and I'll be there too! I'll bring scones :)
ReplyDeleteI have also put my family on the backburner lately. My husband has been patient, but I can feel the stress between us. My children keep asking me when are you going to cook again. I have two more weeks in this class. Being on the computer daily has been a struggle. I have built up some sick days and may take a couple of days just to rest my mind. I feel like I'm loosing it. Lynard Skynard's song comes to mind-"Be a Simple Kind of Man". I'v got to slow down.
ReplyDeleteMy husband tells me he is sick of me talking about having to do homework all the time. I know this last 2 years are going to be worth the time spent, but I have had to put everything and everybody around me on hold. I try to take vacations even when I can't actually afford them because I do not want to wait until I retire because then I may not get the chance. We need to live life and enjoy it.
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