Don't take life so serious, son
It ain't nohow permanent
- Walt Kelly

Think of yourself as a walking, jumping, dancing, and crawling puppet on a very long tether, leash, or rein. The puppet-maker created an object that has no life of its own. After the owner inserts a battery, the puppet may think – or even believe – that it is on his own, and that it can do whatever it wants. However, in truth, the owner enjoys the ultimate control. He holds the tether. At the end of 70 or 120 years, the owner reins in that tether and removes the battery.

The owner may choose to reward the puppet if it behaves properly. Alternatively, he may dump the puppet if it misbehaves. He may then justify his actions by arguing that the puppet was unsuccessful or acting in a manner that he had deemed to be bad.

No, we are not implying or recommending that puppeteers exhibit megalomania or omnipotence. Our example is intended to prove a point:

Our lives are the same as those of this puppet. From time to time, we may exhibit a false sense of freedom or independence. However, we are all on a tether, and we should know that our battery can be removed at any time.