The Good Life, More Than Money?

by Jonathan on April 4, 2009

I recently wrote an article called What is the Good Life Anyway? Many years ago I heard a parable that I wanted to included in the article, but I couldn’t remember the details clearly enough. A short time later I learned that it had been turned into a video.

This is a 3-minute animated movie by New York Times bestselling author Mark Albion. “The Good Life” takes you to a chance meeting between an MBA and a fisherman on a small island. As the MBA tries to teach the fisherman about business, the fisherman teaches him about life. Enjoy!

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1 Stephen - Rat Race Trap April 5, 2009 at 3:01 am

Jonathan, that video was incredible! I can hardly imagine a better way to make the point. Well done. Thanks!

Stephen – Rat Race Traps last blog post..Develop the Courage to Take Risks

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2 RatRaceTrap (Stephen Mills) April 5, 2009 at 3:11 am

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A great video with an important message: [link to post]

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3 Kikolani April 5, 2009 at 3:26 am

This story has a valuable lesson indeed – once you figure out what truly makes you happy, you may come to find that you don’t need money to get it, and then, instead of wasting years and years slaving to make a ridiculous amount of money, you can ease up and enjoy a simpler, peaceful life with less.

~ Kristi

Kikolanis last blog post..Fetching Friday – Resources Mashup, PageRank Updates
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4 Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills April 5, 2009 at 3:37 am

@ Stephen, I think that’s why I remembered it all these years. @Kikolani, I like the fact that the MBA even got it.
Twitter: mrjWells

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5 DayleyAgile (Alan Dayley) April 5, 2009 at 5:18 am

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RT @RatRaceTrap A great video with an important message: [link to post] < -- very nice

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6 Dragos Roua April 5, 2009 at 7:26 am

I knew the parable, but the cartoon is nicer. The simple things are so complicated sometimes :-) Good the guy finally got it…

Thanks for sharing!

Dragos Rouas last blog post..The First 6 Months Of Blogging – Promotion

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7 dragosroua (Dragos Roua) April 5, 2009 at 11:17 am

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RT @RatRaceTrap: A great video with an important message: [link to post]

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8 Mark Albion April 5, 2009 at 1:02 pm

Thanks for spreading around the video. We are now using it at many business schools to have students examine what success means to them.
I also have a one page teaching note I’m happy to send along.

Many blessings on your journey. May the wind be at your back, mark albion

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9 Mike King April 5, 2009 at 2:29 pm

Great story, that then what question can surprising lead us back to the place we are closest to now can’t it.

Mike Kings last blog post..Cell Phone Etiquette – It’s Your Voice
Twitter: mike_king

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10 Robin Easton April 5, 2009 at 7:28 pm

This is a lovely film. I actually found it very moving. Thank you, Jonathan for not only sharing it, but for helping so many on the path back to themselves.

We often replace our need for deep regular connection with the earth, self, loved ones, community and so forth with the need for things. However, I do see an undercurrent of change where people are either being forced to downsize and rethink their values or they are simply choosing to do so because what they thought would make them happy is not. Sometimes we have to be brought to our knees before we remember what is truly important to us, but it is nonetheless a blessing. We are given a new opportunity at true happiness.

I cherish simplicity. It is where I find my greatest peace, insight, sense of self and connection to what matters.

Robin Eastons last blog post..We did it! We did it!

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11 Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills April 5, 2009 at 8:38 pm

@Mark Albion, hey Mark great to have you here. We have all enjoyed how you crafted the lessons of this parable into the video, thanks for stopping by. @Dragos, I feel the same way. @Mike, It’s a good process to walk ourselves through. We may already have what we want but just haven’t recognized it yet. @Robin, excellent point! Money cannot replace those deeper needs, and sometimes that simplicity lesson comes in unexpected or even unwanted ways. Regardless of the path, it is still a blessing.
Twitter: mrjWells

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12 Bunnygotblog April 5, 2009 at 9:40 pm

This is awesome. I enjoyed this very much and truly believe the simplest things are the best even though often overlooked or taken for granted.
Cheers

Bunnygotblogs last blog post..Life Is What You Make Of It

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13 Mike_King (Mike King) April 6, 2009 at 6:50 am

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An excellent life lesson 3min video to realize it’s important to do what you love in life now by @mrjWells. [link to post]

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