“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
Dre Reyes says
I Agree, Balance is the Ke. Work but not overwork. Be productive, enjoy each day, Spend time with Family. Put God first and everything follows. Donate and be Kind . Life is not a race. If you want a Happy Life do not compare your life with others. Focus onyourself. Live a simple life. Travel as you can.
CurtisRecy says
nfjsrms
Niti S. says
I smile whenever I read this story! So true. Beautifully articulated story.
Life is easy. Why do we have to complicate it so much?
John Costigan says
I’ve heard variants of this story before, but it’s a parable that brings a smile to by heart everytime I hear it.
Happiness is like trying to hold water in our first, the harder we grasp, the more elusive it becomes or like chasing a rainbow, the faster we run after it the faster it eludes us.
The complex worlds that we create can blind us to the simplicity of happiness when it is standing in front of us.
To me, a life of simplicity and awareness is the only way to recognise happiness when it presents itself.
Dear Mr says
I wonder what our society and world progress to evolve with technology science medicine knowledge would be like if we all Sat around doing the bare minimum and just focusing on ourselves? It’s not just about the money that people work extremely hard and put in hours, it’s about furthering themselves and those around them with a sense of reward and deeper fulfilment.
Zeeshan Mahmud says
And what exactly has that wrought? Did it magically eradicate war, crime, pandemic, nefarious behavior? Did going to moon suddenly bring world peace and inner peace? Humanity has stayed exactly at the same square where it has started. It has furthered nothing when there is so much poverty, crime, health risks, sickness etc? Because those are eternal constants in life. You can’t wave a magic wand and take away death.
Me says
This story isn’t saying we should all be sitting around being lazy. It’s a matter of the heart. Are we serving God or the mighty dollar? Are we taking time to stop and smell the roses, be in relationships, enjoy creation all around us; or are all of our hopes in that after all our hard work someday we will finally get to rest – only to find out that we are too tired and broken to enjoy it.