Once, a young investment banker from New York was on a month-long vacation in Europe. Here, he made a three-day stop in a small coastal village, famous for its beauty and warm inhabitants.
On a relaxing afternoon, the banker was taking photographs of the local harbor, when he noticed a shabbily dressed fisherman taking a nap in his boat. The banker, used to a fast lifestyle, was disappointed by the lazy attitude of the fisherman. So, he decided to give some advice to the fisherman, thinking that he could improve his life.
The banker asked the fisherman, “Why are you lying around instead of catching fish?”
The fisherman answered, “I went fishing in the morning, and the small catch would be sufficient for the next two days.”
The banker told him, “If you go out to catch fish multiple times a day, you can buy a motorboat in less than a year, the second boat in less than two years, and so on.”
The fisherman asked, “Then what?”
The tourist further explained that one day, the fisherman could even build a small cold storage plant, later a pickling factory, fly around in a helicopter, build a fish restaurant, and export lobster directly to Paris without a middleman.
In response, the nonchalant fisherman asked, “Then what?”
The tourist enthusiastically continued, “Then, without a care in the world, you could retire to sit here in the harbor, doze in the sun, and look at the glorious sea.”
“But I’m already doing that,” said the fisherman.
The enlightened tourist walked away pensively, with no trace of pity for the fisherman, only a little envy.
This story shows how a reacting mind can harm us in bigger ways. Many of us, just like the banker, are reacting to the environment we are brought up in, following the steps of others around us. We gather biases about an “ideal life” and set on this long journey without giving it serious thought. And when we say “serious” here, we mean seriously honest to self.
Unpack your biases. Know that there’s nothing wrong with following others, but it should not be a blind decision. Do some research about other possibilities. And above all, even if you realize that you are already on the wrong path, do not hesitate to change it once you find a better option.
How many times have you taken major life decisions just because others around you did so? Was it the only way possible? Some spend lives chasing college degrees, while others keep running after money, but to what avail. What if we asked ourselves more often, “Then what?”
There is no right or wrong answer. In fact, earning more money can help you get through most problems in life. But do it responsibly. If spending a few moments questioning your actions today can avoid disappointment in the future, then it is time well spent.
In the words of John Lennon, “Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.”
You are your own blesser! Be blessed 😊