7. Hold Loosely

Life is the voyage, death is the captain's call, and every good thing in between is a small treasure found on the beach. Hold loosely.

A ship is at anchor. You go ashore to fetch water. On the way, you can amuse yourself by picking up a shell or an onion.

Your mind, though, should be turned toward the ship, always listening for the captain's call. If he calls, you must drop everything and run back, or you will be dragged aboard bound hand and foot like a sheep.

Life is the same. Instead of an onion or a shell, life may hand you a wife, or a child. There is no harm in enjoying them.

When the captain calls, though, leave it all and run to the ship. Look back at none of it.

If you are old, do not wander far from the ship. When the call comes, you need to be able to reach it in time.

What this means. Enjoy the good things that come your way. Do not grip them so tightly that you cannot let them go when the time comes.