What is Love?

The following is an excerpt from a story by the 19th century French writer, Guy de Maupaasant. This is one of the best descriptions I've ever encountered on being in love.

I had been madly in love with her. Why do people fall in love? How strange it is that in the whole world you can see only one creature, have in your mind only one thought, in your heart only one desire, and on your lips only one name -- a name which you say over and over again, which you constantly murmur wherever you go, just as though it were the words of a prayer.

I will not tell you our story. Love has only one story -- and it is always the same. I had met her and loved her. That is all. And I had lived for a year in her tenderness, in her arms, in her caresses, in her gaze, in everything she wore, in everything she said, so utterly wrapped up and imprisoned in everything that was hers that I no longer knew whether it was day or night, whether I was dead or alive, whether I was on earth or in heaven.

Guy de Maupassant

Desiderata

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what
peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without
surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to
others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their
story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations
to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may
become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and
lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep
interested in your own career, however humble, it's a real
possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world
is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what
virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and
everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither
be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and
disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering
the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you
in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark
imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and
the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not
it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him
to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the
noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still
a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."


"Desiderata" was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945).

The Fisherman and The Investment Banker

The Fisherman and The Investment Banker

Author Unknown

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 American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The fisherman 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, "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 American 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 LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."

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

To which the American replied, "15-20 years."

"But what then?"

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 and become very rich, you would make millions."

"Millions.. 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 siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."