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!
I found the lesson here to be an excellent reality check with regard to success and the ambitious pursuit of success. We do well to keep the big picture in mind when setting goals and mapping out a plan for the future.
A good place to start is to ask ourselves WHY would I do this and HOW does it support my real goals? Obviously, the fisherman had thought thing through and avoided years of unnecessary and relatively meaningless pursuits. What a great lesson for us all.
The mission of this site is to provide you with all the right strategies and resources to promote and encourage positive change in your life. All of the articles, 
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
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
Twitter Comment
A great video with an important message: [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
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
@ Stephen, I think that’s why I remembered it all these years. @Kikolani, I like the fact that the MBA even got it.
Twitter Comment
RT @RatRaceTrap A great video with an important message: [link to post] < -- very nice
– Posted using Chat Catcher
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
Twitter Comment
RT @RatRaceTrap: A great video with an important message: [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
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
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
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!
@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.
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
Twitter Comment
An excellent life lesson 3min video to realize it’s important to do what you love in life now by @mrjWells. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher