How much is enough? How do you value your time?
Once, an American investment banker stood on the pier of a quaint coastal Mexican village. A solitary fisherman docked his small boat, its hold filled with large yellowfin tuna. Impressed, the American inquired about the time taken to catch them.
The fisherman replied casually, "Just a little while."
Puzzled, the American asked why he didn't prolong his fishing to catch more. The Mexican explained that he had enough to meet his family's immediate needs. Perplexed, the American pressed further, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The Mexican shared his simple routine, "I sleep in, fish a bit, spend time with my children, enjoy siestas with my wife, Maria, wander into the village each evening for wine and guitar with friends. My life is full and satisfying."
Disdainfully, the American remarked, "I hold an MBA from Harvard. I could assist you. You should fish more, buy a larger boat. With the profits, expand into a fleet, then a cannery. Leave this village, head to Mexico City, then LA, and finally New York. Build an empire."
The fisherman pondered, "But how long would all this take?"
"15 to 20 years," the American replied.
"And then?" queried the fisherman.
The American chuckled, "The climax. You'd announce an IPO, sell stocks, become wealthy!"
"Millions – and then what?" the fisherman persisted.
The American smirked, "Retire. Return to a coastal village. Sleep in, fish a bit, play with your kids, enjoy siestas with Maria, sip wine, strum your guitar with amigos."
This parable, originally penned by German writer Heinrich Böll in 1963, has circulated widely. It challenges the default paths of life, advocating for a balance between today and tomorrow.
Reflection Questions
How much is enough for you?
How much is enough for your family?
What are the top three things in your life that "really matter"?
What are you really pursuing?