Never get so busy making a living ……that you forget to make a life.
In 2007 we lived in Tuscany for a year, but for the month of September, we stayed in a small fishing village called Noli, which is on the coast of Luguria Italy in the Province of Savona.
It was beautiful, but what I loved the most was their lifestyle. They cooked slowly, ate slowly and savoured every mouthful. They strolled easily in the streets, making time to speak and acknowledge each other. They closed their shops at 1pm each day and were always generous and welcoming. They taught us to slow down, they taught us how to live. The story below has been around awhile, but the message is still the same.
Slow down…Happiness is trying to catch you…
There was once a businessman who was sitting by the beach in a small fishing village.
As he sat, he saw a fisherman rowing a small boat towards the shore having caught quite few big fish. The businessman was impressed and asked the fisherman, “How long does it take you to catch so many fish?”
The fisherman replied, “Oh, just a short while.”
“Then why don’t you stay longer at sea and catch even more?” The businessman was astonished.
“This is enough to feed my whole family,” the fisherman said.
The businessman offered a suggestion to the fisherman.
“I am a PhD in business management. I could help you to become a more successful person. From now on, you should spend more time at sea and try to catch as many fish as possible. When you have saved enough money, you could buy a bigger boat and catch even more fish. Soon you will be able to afford to buy more boats, set up your own company, your own production plant for canned food and distribution network. By then, you will have moved out of this village, where you can set up HQ to manage your other branches.”
The fisherman continues, “And after that?”
The businessman laughs heartily, “After that, you can live like a king in your own house, and when the time is right, you can go public and float your shares in the Stock Exchange, and you will be rich.”
The fisherman asks, “And after that?”
The businessman says, “After that, you can finally retire, you can move to a house by the fishing village, wake up early in the morning, catch a few fish, then return home to play with kids, have a nice afternoon nap with your wife, and when evening comes, you can join your buddies for a drink, play the guitar, sing and dance throughout the night!”
The fisherman was puzzled, “Isn’t that what I am doing now?”
They are in NOLI!
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
Yes, a great story. I have heard it before but it is good to hear it again!
It is good to hear it again and remember what is important. Thanks Emilie.
Tuscany. Fiji. Story teller. You are a Renaissance Woman.
I know.. ha Thankyou Mr Kanigan. I am very grateful.
Happiness has never had anything to do being economically rich. Great story Karen. Why did you move from Italy?
We only went to Italy for a year to experience a different way of life. We had to return to Australia for work and for the girl’s schooling. Italy will always have a special place in my heart.
I just wondered why, when you described it so heavenly Karen.
Oh yes, we would have loved to stay Irene. I definitely want to return.
You were fortunate indeed to have lived for a while in such idyllic an environment Karen, both naturally and socially. I remember the fisherman parable from many years ago, though had altogether forgotten it, so must thankyou for reminding me of it of its perennial power.
With all best wishes, Hariod.
It was idyllic Hariod. I am so grateful for the experience we had there and for the lessons I learned. The parable is a wonderful reminder. Thankyou.
Such a beautiful story and reminder for us all to slow down, to notice the small things and be grateful. Clearly you understand that concept and practice, sometimes I think this is also one of the gifts that death gives to us, we start to be better able to see that this is important. Sending you love.
I agree. Death has definitely given me a different understanding and perspective on life. I know you have that too. Thankyou lovely friend.
Oh, I love this story! I wonder when we will all catch on . . . seems the newest generation in the workforce gets it because they’ve watched their parents lease a life away . . .
So true Kay. This is a really hard lesson to learn. I have so much gratitude for this experience and hope like you, our children continue to practice this gift.
I love that story. Such an important reminder to us all to not let the moments slip by while we’re busy living for the future.
Exactly Carrie. Busyness takes us away from precious moments. Thankyou for your comment.
I love this story! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Me too Rachael. Thankyou. 🙂
Ahhh … what a lovely experience full of memories … and reminders 💛
It is Val, and you know how beautiful Tuscany is. It is a special place to visit.
I can see myself living there, that’s for sure!
Sounds enchanting. I noticed that about Italians, they really do savor life. We could definitely take a page from their book.
They really do live differently from us Eliza. They taught me a lot.
Life is so short, so fleeting, I agree, enjoy every day and take it as slowly as you can. 🙂
Thankyou Jet. It is the truth! 🙂
Sounds like paradise to me. How lucky you are! I have always wanted to go to Tuscany.
Keep dreaming it into being Yvonne. It is a beautiful change of pace.
It was paradise but I can feel it here within me too. I now understand it is always with me.
Wonderful post and a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the day or evening. 🙂
I agree, I have to remind myself to be in that beautiful place. Thankyou Carol.
We have everything we need. Thank you Karen.
Blessings,
Mary
We do Mary, we do. It is a precious gift, I am grateful for. Thankyou friend.
Love the story! I like the slower pace in the Mediterranean, your post brought up great memories.
It does for me too Helen, so does your salt marsh. It can be wherever we are.
I love this! I think I need to live there.
Great, well let’s all move together and live happily ever after! 🙂
Lol!
: )
All too easy to get caught up in the ‘go, go, go, more, more, more’ mentality, isn’t it? And as the fisherman wisely asked, “And after that?”….
Exactly Lori, well said. “And after that” we are so old and tired, we realise we never truly lived.
I read the story before, it’s so wonderful to read it again. Thank you! 🙂
Thankyou Amy. It is a good reminder 🙂
This story is new to me, but the idea has been growing silently in my soul, waiting for the right time to emerge so clearly!
Very exciting JoAnna! There is always a right time and we always know.
Great and wise story, Karen.
What the avaricious business man fails to understand is that when one becomes the captain of a bigger boat he may have to give up being captain of his soul.
The fisherman makes that point quite clear in the end. “I’m already there.”
-Alan
Yes this is so true, well said. Reaching for this illusion keeps us disconnected from our soul.Thankyou.
I always love this story! I find it so funny how people live fast so they can retire and live slowly, when they can make a choice in this moment to live slower and embrace every moment in life. Thank you for sharing.
It is so true Abigail. We often learn the hard way, but hopefully we are slowly understanding, just how precious every moment is. Thankyou.