“Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels.” –Bertolt Brecht
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One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching a fish.
About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family. “You aren’t going to catch many fish that way,” said the businessman. “You should be working rather than lying on the beach!”
The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, “And what will my reward be?”
“Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!” was the businessman’s answer.
“And then what will my reward be?” asked the fisherman, still smiling.
The businessman replied, “You will make money and you’ll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!”
“And then what will my reward be?” asked the fisherman again.
The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman’s questions. “You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!” he said.
“And then what will my reward be?” repeated the fisherman.
The businessman was getting angry. “Don’t you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your employees catch fish for you!”
Once again the fisherman asked, “And then what will my reward be?”
The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, “Don’t you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won’t have a care in the world!”
The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, “And what do you think I’m doing right now?”
Story: Heinrich Boll
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There is a beautiful life of simplicity calling out to those who will listen. It invites us to live the life we were born to live, not the life our neighbor is seeking to achieve. Simplicity invites us to pursue the things we value most, not the values of billboards and magazines. It invites us to remove the distractions that keep us from living and enjoying life to the fullest.
When we stop chasing the world’s definition of happiness, we begin to recognize the decision to experience happiness has been right in front of us all along.
Image: iwan pribadi
Tara says
This is so crazy! A few days ago, my husband and I happened across this proverb posted on the wall at a restaurant. It IMMEDIATELY spoke to us and we’ve been talking about it since and then you post it! I will take it as my sign……….I’m on the path.
vkacrossthewater says
Good reminder, thanks. Love this story and it’s so true… taking time to be thankful and enjoy what we already have is so counter cultural, and yet the peace that comes with the attitude of gratitude is what so many of us miss out on when we choose instead to seek more.
Chelle says
What a wonderful story. It saddens me how our society craves “greatness” so we can all finally retire and do nothing. All when we are too tired, frustrated, and stressed to enjoy it. Enjoy life now. We only have today, don’t we?
Great post! Thanks, Joshua, for all you do!
Be blessed!
-Chelle
Teddy says
This post is perfect! This sentence hit me hard: “There is a beautiful life of simplicity calling out to those who will listen.” I live a pretty simple life, and don’t have huge aspirations to start my own company and make millions of dollars.
Last year I traveled to 5 countries and 5 states and several National Parks. I was “on vacation” for almost 9 months straight, and I made somewhere in the realm of $12,000 total last year as a beginner freelance writer. And somehow, I made enough to pay the bills and to travel to Europe, Canada and Mexico. :)
Melissa says
*****love*****
Brownvagabonder says
I love how Zen this story about the fisherman is. I totally agree with the simplicity story – it is so clear once you realize how important simplicity is in life. It makes everything else in your life so much sweeter when you don’t have to worry about buying stuff and taking care of the stuff you already own. Thanks for this story – it reminds me of why I have decided to quit my job, save up and go travelling to South America for 1 year. If not now, when? If not you, who?
Mr. Everyday Dollar says
Congratulations on having the courage to follow your bliss. Average people can do exactly what you’re doing but oftentimes find themselves controlled by fear and anxiety, and not honest enough to admit to themselves that they want something different from the “Joneses”.
I just wrote an article about a man who didn’t care about material possessions, and clutter, and even money. All he cared about was eating clean, living clean, and surfing. And he did all that while raising 9 kids in a 24-foot camper! Check it out at http://mreverydaydollar.com/would-you-raise-9-kids-in-a-24-foot-camper/.
He’s the perfect example of someone who made a conscious decision to not chase the world’s definition of happiness but to pursue the things he valued most.
Great post.
BrownVagabonder says
Thanks for the good vibes :)
Mr. Grumpy says
With 9 kids, it sounds like all he really cared about was….. never mind…
Lisa says
Beautiful message today….Right now I wish I were enjoying that fisherman’s simplicity.
Vincent says
That’s a great story and I can imagine the smile the fisherman has on his face as he repeats his question and finally ends with an even more profound question. Thank you for this beautiful story.
Courtney Hill Wulsin says
Thank you for this beautiful post this morning. It feels so necessary to remember this lesson at the start of summer. Why work hard all summer long to make enough money to go sit on a beach and see the sunset when we could simply work fewer hours, have more fun and appreciate the sunset from our front porch every day.
Kate says
Ain’t that the truth! Lovely sentiment and one I’m trying to honour.
Jazzy says
because where I live, its winter 5-6 months of the year and round about April I need sun, sand and surf….even just for a week….
but other than that, I agree with you – and this entry! :)
Tatiana Dotoli says
You shouldn’t complain! I love winter! Enjoy it! I live on a tropical country and must confess it is nice, but winter will always be my favorite :)
I love this story!
Clara says
It’s not the first time that I read this story, but every time I smile and makes me think that it is in the small things and small pleasures in life that we can find happiness.
Clara