Control

There are certain personality characteristics that are highly correlated with academic and professional success: dedication to work, attention to detail, ability to manage, time, conscientiousness.  People who have this constellation of grants are generally excellent students and productive workers.  They can also be difficult to live with.  In one's personal life, the keeping of lists, perfectionistic attitudes, devotion to effort over pleasure and friendships, lack of flexibility, and stubbornness do not wear as well and tend to alienate those who value, closeness, relaxation, and tolerance.  Obsessive people put a strong emphasis on control.  Anything that threatens this sense of being in charge induces anxiety.  This leads inevitably to efforts to reassert control, in effect redoubling the behaviors that produced the problem in the first place.

Paradox:  A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.

Impermanence mocks us.  Everything in life is a good news/bad news story.  Only in embracing our own mortality and the fact that life is going to contain both pain and pleasure can we be happy.

There is not a doubt in the world that I want to control everything.  If only things would work out the way I want everybody would be happy.  If you'd like just turn the reins of your life over to me.  I'll take care of you.  Just look at how smooth my life has gone if you have any doubts.