Life Lesson From A Fisherman

It’s an old tale.

Present in lots of different cultures.

But it goes something like this…

There was once a businessman sitting by the beach in a small village.

While looking out on the water, he sees a fisherman pulling in his boat.

Intrigued, he goes up to him and asks, “How long does it take you to catch these fish?”

The fisherman responds, “Oh just a few hours.”

“Then how come you don’t stay out longer and catch more?” says the businessman.

The fisherman replies, “Well, this is enough to feed my family.”

“So what do you do with the rest of your day,” the businessman asks.

“Well, after I fish in the morning, I go back and play with my kids. Then I take a nap with my wife. Then the evening arrives, and I hang out with my buddies and we sing, dance and chat.”

Skeptical, the businessman begins to sell his idea.

“Well, if you worked longer hours and caught more fish you could then buy more boats and hire more fishermen. You'd then be able to set up a company, can the food and distribute it throughout your country.”

Confused, the fisherman asks, “And then what happens?”

By then, the businessman fires back, “You could move into a bigger house and in a nicer village and you could run a fishing empire!”

“And then what?” asks the fisherman.

“And then you could finally retire, wake up early to go fishing on your own, play with your kids, have a nice afternoon nap with your wife, and at night, spend time with your closest friends singing and dancing.”

Puzzled, the fisherman answers, “Isn’t that what I’m already doing?”

You see, you already have most of what you already need to be happy.

Your family, close friends, shelter and some food to eat.

Yet so many of us, and I’m guilty of this too, want more.

More power, more money, more fame, more recognition.

Bigger, bigger, bigger.

The desire for more is ceaseless.

It’ll never satisfy you.

It’ll never fulfill you.

Because what you’re chasing is already there.

Fulfillment.

Contentment.

Gratitude.

So we have to remind ourselves of what's essential.

To enjoy what we have and who we’re around.

We have to constantly check in with ourselves.

And ask, “Is all this stress worth it?”

Could I be happier with a much simpler lifestyle?

Simplicity is uncomfortable.

We want to grow and complicate things!

We want to get our hands dirty!

We want to make a name for ourselves!

But the hardest thing to do is to cut back.

To cut out the unnecessary.

To be okay with the smaller house.

With the smaller batch of fish.

Because that way you’ll have time to do what matters.

To do what’ll fulfill you.

To play with your kids.

To take a nap with your wife.

And of course, to sing and dance with your friends.

Love,

Dhruv.