Wanting to be liked can get in the way of truth.

Do you think you can cause something to happen just from wanting it so much?' she asked. 'I don't get what you mean. Does this have to do with your dad?' asked Frannie. 'Not really. I'm talking about loneliness.' Frannie turned around and considered her answer. For awhile she seemed to be in a wilderness of her own. 'Do you mean that you imagined that Issy was your friend?' 'Yes, so completely that it was real.' 'Oh, that can happen. I believe that totally. Loneliness is powerful.

If you think about something else hard enough, you can mostly control your feelings.

Preparing for the worst is an activity I have taken up since I turned thirty-five and the worst actually began to happen.