After reading yesterday’s post, I got to thinking about control. I obviously didn’t enjoy the feeling of being out of control at the dental office; could I have issues with control in other areas of my life? All areas? Am I one of those control freaks who walks around running everyone’s life so that I can be okay with my own? Here is what I’ve deduced from my thoughts on this subject:

1. A control freak is a puppet master; someone who has to control not only their own actions but the actions of those around them.

2. I am not a puppet master.

3. Someone with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) could be misconstrued as being a control freak.

4. I have OCD tendencies.

5. Most of my OCD behavior is a personal thing and does not affect others.

6. An exception to #5 would be the way I like household chores to be completed. My husband has graciously given in to some of my weird obsessions, like stacking the dishes and bowls in a certain color pattern and washing the dishes in a specific order. Maybe he thought, “Why fight it?”

7. Do I care how someone else does household chores in their home? Not at all. Do I expect them to live their life like I do? Certainly not!

8. I celebrate diversity and enjoy getting to know people who are unlike me. My wish for control is only for my own life, not for theirs.

So, while I might go a little crazy if you fold my clothes the wrong way, I will respect your right to fold them incorrectly at your house (wink, wink). I think we all have our “way” of doing things and I won’t fall apart if we don’t agree on what that “way” should be.