Happiness from within
 

Our happiness is so much determined within us as long as our very basic needs such as getting enough food, clothing, shelter, and medical treatment are fulfilled. It makes us really feel grateful and happy to thank God for all the wonderful things we have in this life, starting with our wonderful Earth and sun, the places we were bought up, the love of our parents and friends, our good health, opportunities we have had, and by feeling great sympathy for the billions of people who are worse off than us, such as the millions of Palestinians who have been refugees for over 50 years or the babies suffering from aides due to no fault of their own.

From Bob Rice in Jakarta, Indonesia

Lessons from a Mexican fishing village....
 

Thanks.... I would add time and independence to what you said.

I think time is one of the most valuable things we have, and many people who start businesses value their independence above anything else....

That reminds me of a story, also recently sent to me in email....



Working Towards What You Already Have....

The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The investment banker complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, "Only a little while."

The investment banker then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?"

The Mexican said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs."

The investment banker then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life."

The investment banker scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat: With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor; eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually New York where you will run your ever-expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

To which the investment banker replied, "15 to 20 years."

"But what then?" asked the Mexican.

The investment banker laughed and said that's the best part. "When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."

"Millions?...Then what?"

The investment banker said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."