Simplify and free up your life in three minutes.
That’s how long it takes to catch three treasures from this parable.
Standing on a pier in Akumal last week, I thought about Heinrich Boll’s 1963 tale of a Mexican fisherman.
You already have it all
An American businessman was at the pier of a coastal Mexican village when a small boat with a fisherman docked. Inside the boat was a small catch of fish. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “only a few hours.” The American asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to take care of his family. The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.” The American scoffed, “I have a business degree and I can help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With those proceeds, you could buy more boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this little village and move to Mexico City, then LA, and eventually New York City, where you will run your growing business.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will all this take?”
To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”
“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.
The American 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 American 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 siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
“But, I’m already doing that,” said the fisherman.
Simplify the day
That’s all we have. Right now. Today.
Our fisherman builds joy into his life now.
What a beautiful example of simplicity.
Instead of preparing to live, he is living by not chasing more.
“Most people spend their entire lives indefinitely preparing to live.” Paul Tournier
Simplify friends
What’s more fun than playing with the folks you love most?
The folks who lift you up as much as you do them.
How much time is given to the soul-sucking folks using you?
- Let em go.
- Listen to your heart.
- Listen to the fisherman.
Simplify work
It’s so easy to let work define you rather than you define the work.
The fisherman loves to fish but his work doesn’t exploit . . .
- time
- family
- friends
Careers certainly have their demands.
But, we don’t have to be “shiny.”
“You can either be shiny and admired or real and loved.” Glennon Doyle
Shiny is not the real you. It’s pretend.
In Mexico, I see simplicity.
The workers building the house next to our rental work hard.
But, they . . .
- start at a reasonable hour
- cheer each other throughout the day
- enjoy rhythm in their skill
- take a siesta after lunch
Savor simplicity
I’m on a journey for more simplicity by . . .
- savoring today
- savoring loved ones
- savoring creativity
How bout you?
What are your thoughts about simplicity?
Right on Steve,
Clinical studies done years ago showed that the majority of people south of our border that we would consider “poor” have a much lower incidence of anxiety and depression than we do. Those that immigrated to the US achieved not only greater financial prosperity but also our higher rates of depression.
Marc
Makes you realize how slippery simplicity is or how slippery contentment is. Wonderful insight Marc!
Steve –
One thing’s for sure; you can’t get that time back. Now that our situation has changed, I am trying to be more like the fisherman. Thanks for the reinforcement.
All the best- Brad
All the memories count Brad. They count for thanksgiving today. Thanks for sharing and know that you are not alone in this journey.
Hi there Steve, recently I have come across HB’s tale a lot. When I was 25, I said to myself, I am going to retire at 50. Well, kids, homes, college delayed me to 56.
I am so busy truly enjoying what I love to do. Yeah its hard work and can be just as frustrating as “the real investment banking” I used to do. But, I come back to the task happy, relaxed and enjoy myself.
That Mexican and pretty much everyone outside of the US has it right. Its not about money, but quality of family and life.
Thanks for reminding us all. Best regards…AB
AB, it’s tough making a nice life for the family isn’t it? Job well done my friend. Look at how you blessed them and set them up for where they are today. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent message Steve!
Thanks Jeff, good to hear from you!