Finding life in our surroundings...

An American businessman was at a pier in 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 American 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 American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish.

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.

The American then asked the Mexican how he spent the rest of his 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, senor.'

The American scoffed, 'I have 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 village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York where you will run your expanding enterprise.'

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

To which the American replied, 'Fifteen to twenty years.'

'But what then, senor?' asked the Mexican.

The American 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. You'll become very rich, you would make millions!'

'Millions, senor?' replied the Mexican. 'Then what?'

The American 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 a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.'

(Story taken from God360 by Andy Flannagan)

Please don't stop the music!

It only hit me the other day how important music is to my life and to many others! I love to listen to music whenever I can and often find that certain songs remind me of certain times in my life. When revising for exams, I couldn't concentrate unless I was listening to music, although in all honesty, there is always a song playing in my head (hence the constant air drums)!

It always amazes me how music (and singing) can often take us to a deeper level of fun, celebration and, at times, sorrow! It has the ability to heighten our awareness towards our emotions and gives them an avenue in which to express themselves, whether that's in song, playing or through dance (we can all dance!).

I love the way God has given us the ability to be creative and in particular to explore this phenomenon we call music!