on relationships

Relationships-of all kinds-are like sand held in your hand-held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is. The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold on to some of it, but most will be spilled. A relationship is like that-held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. But held too tightly, too possessively, the relationship slips away and is lost.