Sometimes, I seriously cannot believe we are living this life. We’re no longer running in the perpetual rat race, we live on the water in a cozy little sailboat, we get to do what we want when we want, and we are cruising the freaking Caribbean with our cute poodle-pants in tow. Really?!! It boggles my mind somedays. And honestly, things are far from perfect all the time, but regardless, we still recognize how blessed we are to have the opportunity to slow down and enjoy life.
Last December, I wrote about our big plans to “let our dreams set sail.” This was way back when we were still working, planning, but all along dead set on making our dream a reality. And although this cruising gig isn’t a “forever” in our grand plans at life, it has truly given us the opportunity to take the time to appreciate all that we have…and will, without a doubt, monumentally impact how we live our lives going forward.
So, anyhoo have you heard the tale of the Mexican fisherman?
For me, it’s is an authentic reminder that happiness is living simply and enjoying life. In whatever manner makes sense for you. And, really, what a great little reminder for a week where many of us will be gathering together, giving thanks, and counting our blessings. I thought if you haven’t already heard the tale, then you might appreciate it as much as I do. So here it is…
^^our boat is somewhere back there in the Salinas, Puerto Rico anchorage^^
The Story of the Mexican Fisherman
A businessman was standing at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The businessman complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish.
“How long did it take you to catch them?” The businessman asked.
“Only a little while.” The fisherman replied.
“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” The businessman then asked.
“I have enough to support my family’s immediate needs.” The fisherman said.
“But,” the businessman then asked, “What do you do with the rest of your time?”
The fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, señor.”
The businessman scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds you buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.”
“Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to consumers, eventually opening your own can factory. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The fisherman asked, “But señor, how long will this all take?”
To which the businessman replied, “15 to 20 years.”
“But what then, señor?”
The businessman 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, señor? Then what?”
The businessman said slowly, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos…”
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Just some food for thought. There’s danger in waiting to live the life that you really want to live.
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Thanks for sharing. I have not heard that story before and I LOVE it!
WOW…I want to be the fisherman!
Ain’t it the truth?? Thanks for sharing!
We have been cruising for 5 years and have got more enthusiasm for it than when we first started. As you say, we are so lucky but that luck comes from a determination to see that dream fulfilled.
Talking about fishermen, we went out with a local fisherman here is Sicily this week to lay the nets and return the following morning to haul them in. It was an amazing day and he spent most of it explaining all about the fish we had caught.
It is all in our latest blog.
Good sailing my friends.