This is http://www.essayz.com/a8703271.htm         
Previous-Essay      <== This-Essay ==>     Following-Essay
Click HERE on this line to find essays via Your-Key-Words.
{Most frequent wordstarts of each essay will be put here.}
==========================================================
                  %ADDICTION CONTROL INTEGRITY KILL 870327

     We  often attempt to control:   our own lives;  other
people's  lives;   our  or  others'  thoughts,   emotions,
dialogue,   behaviors;  the consequences of our or others'
thoughts, emotions, dialogue, behaviors; etc.

     We attempt control because:  our role models have, we
have been taught to and are expected to do so,  our ideals
and values lead us to do so;  we are lead to attempt to be
in control through fears, desires, hopes, aspirations; and
to celebrate technologies, etc.

     If  we  could not understand,   predict  and  control
objective  processes we would not be tempted to attempt to
be  in control of life processes.   What we  can  do  with
inanimate  objects  we  are tempted to attempt to do  with
animate objects;  presenting ourselves to them as if there
were  no  essential  differences  worthy  of  respect  and
consideration.   In doing so we threaten our own integrity
and  the  integrity  of the animated community  of  beings
which are not merely objects.

     Our  lives disintegrate when we become compulsive  in
our  attempts  to  be in control.   We  resent  and  rebel
against each other's attempt to control us,  and/or attach
ourselves  to  each other in patterns  of  perverse inter-
dependency  and  manipulative  control.    Our   rebellion
indicates  the  disintegrative implications  and  perverse
consequences  of attempting to be in control.   We can not
control  the  consequences of attempting to be in  control
because we lack infinite knowledge,  information,  wisdom,
love, power, justice and presence.

     Through  finitude  we fail to understand, predict and
control  of our  lives  and purposes when we attempt to be
fully in control.   We live more integrative lives when we
do not attach ourselves and our egos  to the task of being
in control.  We promote integrity in our lives, and in our
associates  and communities when we detach ourselves  from
our futile tasks of being in control.

     The chief end of man is not to be in control,  but to
be in dialogue with integrity.   Attempts to be in control
often undermine and inhibit dialogue which is essential to
personal and communal integrity.   As disintegration  sets
in we clutch as addicts do to presumed means for regaining
control.  Addiction kills.

                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
==========================================================