The Joy of Contentment

There’s a story I like to think about, and though it’s apocryphal, I believe it sums up perfectly the state in which many of us spend our lives. The tale goes that a very wealthy, Harvard-educated businessman was vacationing in a little village in Mexico. One morning, as he was sitting on the beach, he saw a fisherman approach with a boat full of yellowfin tuna. He complimented the man on his catch, and since it was only 11:00 a.m., he inquired as to whether or not he was done working for the day. When he indicated that he was, the curious vacationer asked him what he intended to do for the rest of the afternoon. He responded that he would sell his fish at the market, go home, eat lunch, take a siesta, play with his children, and then he and his wife would go into town to eat dinner and possibly enjoy some music. The entrepreneur was taken back by his response, so he told the man that if he would just work harder, he could catch more fish, buy more boats, hire some employees, and maybe even open up a cannery in Mexico City. In fact, if he put enough time and effort into it, he could create a profitable “tuna empire,” and then sell it, become a multi-millionaire, retire in 25 years, and do whatever he wanted. After listening astutely to his ideas, the fisherman asked the man of wealth, “And what would I do then?” Without hesitating, he replied, “Well, then you could move to a little village by the beach, go fishing in the morning, eat lunch with your family, play with your grandkids, go into town, have dinner with your wife, and listen to some good music.”

My friend, the things you dream about may already be in your midst, but if you’re too preoccupied looking at the horizon, you won’t notice them. While there’s nothing wrong with aspiring to wealth and success, don’t let your quest for the bigger and better keep you from relishing the good and perfect gifts that are already in your possession. Whether it’s shelter, a job that pays the bills, abundant food, or friends and family with whom to share it, your Savior invites you to bask in the blessings of every day and live life to the fullest right where you are!