“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
swalia says
Such a lovely post. For years, I had been looking for happiness in possessions and earning money. My perspective changed when I joined Art of Living. Now I focus on doing the work I love. Yes, I need a regular job to meet my needs. But I am not a part of the mad race anymore. Instead I spend my extra time on volunteer work with Art of Living, learning astrology, blogging, spending quality time with my son and doing tarot readings on free tarot network and on my site http://tarotsights.wordpress.com/
Lauren Smith says
Love the picture! The story is priceless! Happiness can be elusive. I love the thought of getting rid of clutter to find happiness. I completely agree. Nothing makes me happier then getting rid of clutter. I am reading a wonderful book right now called, “One-Liners For Life” by author Susan Spira. It’s an idea book to help self-edit one’s life to gain greater joy, happiness, and fulfillment. I try and read a little bit each day. It helps me keep a positive attitude! She has also written the books, “Happy Shorts,” and “The Happy Tips Book.” http://susanspira.com/
Jodi D. says
Love this! So glad I found your blog. Needing inspiration to keep going with this de-cluttering process.
Ibn Javed says
Hahaha… Awesome! Thanks for sharing . . . Love your posts bro, keep up the good work :)
Niloo says
Beautiful post :)
Amy says
This is a very wise story that goes perfectly with my day :) Thank you!
Jason Todd Ipson says
This is a well known German Story by Heinrich Boell. I assume you did not know the reference, but I think it would be a nice gesture to give the author his credit. I read it in Germany in 1993 for the first time. Have told it many times since.
Melissa Allam says
I love this. I have not been sleeping well, because I wake up thinking I should be doing more. I work a part time regular job and so does my husband (he is older and gets retirement and soc. sec. as well) and I started my own event and interior design business last year. The work came a lot at first, but now it is slow, and I feel like I’m okay with that. We make enough money to pay our normal bills and pay off some debt, hopefully to be paid off next year. I ask my husband all the time. We are fine right. I don’t need to do more do I. He always says yes. If I worked more, we wouldn’t have our free time together and with the dogs. I like having free time and volunteering for a crisis pregnancy center. Need to remind myself that others ideas of success, doesn’t have to be mine.
Mike@WeOnlyDoThisOnce says
Very well said. I agree that happiness shouldn’t be seen as an endgame, but as a perspective.
Kris says
Love the story. However, what will the fisherman’s legacy be… sitting on a beach? I bet the business man is kicking himself for not bringing that up.
Ken says
First……maybe his legacy is to teach people that “success” as the world defines it isn’t necessarily his (or your) definition. In the parable, the hard work…..the stress…..only leads him to a place he’s already found (without the stress).
Second……if someone feels that we MUST leave a legacy to the world at large then maybe…..just maybe…..they’ve missed the point of the parable.
Sharon says
I agree????