Appreciating the Now

Most of us have the capacity to enjoy our lives more and we can often do this by focusing our attention in the present instead of focusing our attention on what’s next. This is a story that I love:  

An American tourist was in a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat docked at the pier. Inside the boat were several large tuna. The tourist complimented the fisherman on the quality of his catch and asked how many hours he was fishing.

“Only a few” said the fisherman. The tourist then asked, “Why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” The fisherman said, “With this I have more than enough.” The tourist asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The fisherman said, “I sleep late, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, stroll into the village in the evenings, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”

The tourist interjected, “I have an MBA and I can help you. If you spend more time fishing you could buy a bigger boat and eventually buy several boats. Soon you’d have a fleet and could open a cannery and control the product, processing and distribution. You could move to Mexico City, L.A., and then NYC where you could run your enterprise.”

The fisherman asked, “How long will this take?” The tourist replied, “15 to 20 years.” “And then what?” The tourist said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you could sell your stock and become very rich, you could make millions.” “Millions?…And then what?”

The tourist said, “Then you would retire, move to a small coastal 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 guitar with your amigos.” (author of this story – unknown)

When we find ourselves overly focused on goals and on what’s next we sacrifice the present for the future. This is when it’s good to check- in with ourselves and reflect on some key questions: What are we hoping to “get to”? How does life look and feel from the vantage point of being at the “destination/goal?” Can we find ways to live that now while still embracing the vision for our lives?

Wishing you enjoyment and appreciation of what’s now.

Lisa
 
“What’s the big hurry? You’re not ever going to get it done, so what are you racing toward? Every single activity that you’re involved in is for one purpose only, and that is to give you a moment of joy. That’s why it all exists. Lighten up. Laugh more. Appreciate more. All is well.” Ester and Jerry Hicks – Abraham

 Lisa Guyman, March 2008