A young student approached Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism, and asked, “Master, what is the secret to life?”
Zeno looked at him for a moment and then asked, “If a sailor is caught in a storm, what should he do?”
The student thought for a moment and replied, “I guess, steer his ship the best he can.”
Zeno nodded. “And what if the wind is against him?”
“He adjusts his sails,” the student answered.
“And if the waves grow fierce?” Zeno continued.
“He keeps steady and does not panic,” the student replied.
Zeno smiled. “There is your answer to the secret of life. Life is the storm. You cannot control the winds, the waves, or the sea. But you can control how you steer your ship.”