Author Archives: RealityCheck

Reality Check: Gratitude, Expectation, and Entitlement

“A whole dollar and seventy-six cents! What an insult! I should tell them to take their money and let them know right where to put it, too!” Whether you work for an hourly wage or a salary, receive a pension … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Pictures of Celebration

It’s the time of year when we are surrounded by pictures of celebration and joy. There are images of beaming families who obviously love each other and probably never disagree. They sit at tables overflowing with perfectly cooked, delicious food, … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Question of Gravity

How’s gravity working for you? Yes, gravity—that force that keeps us on the surface of the earth. Do you like it? Maybe life would be better if there was less gravity so we could gently float around. Or maybe gravity … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Should, Could, Would Like to

Dinah feels exhausted every morning, even before her day gets started. Why? She has an impossibly huge list of tasks, all conveniently stored in a jumble in her head. She thinks, “I should call that customer,” “I should pick up … Continue reading

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Reality Check: That Work/Life Balance

Have you ever succeeded at something that was difficult for you? I suspect that you have. So, let’s try a little thought experiment. Look back at that time, whether it was minutes ago or years ago. What were you thinking … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Your Power Source

A young woman I’ll call Yvette signed up for math class. The first day, Yvette informed me that she can’t do a specific, very basic type of problem. Over the years, others have tried to teach her but she just … Continue reading

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Reality Check: What does encouragement look like?

A friend for whom I have very high regard had a scheduling conflict. It looked like she’d be unable to attend a meeting I’d organized. I was disappointed. Then, she went out of her way to rearrange her schedule so … Continue reading

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Reality Check: If your past was a yard sale…

Even if you don’t love yard sales or flea markets, you probably know someone who does. While frugality is some of the incentive, for the passionate yard-salers, much of the joy comes from the hunt. The thrill of the hunt … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Abuse of Courtesy

If you have a telephone, at some point you’ve probably gotten a call that goes something like this: The phone rings. You answer. There’s a long buzzy pause as a piece of equipment somewhere figures out that they have a … Continue reading

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Reality Check: If only you had come with an instruction manual…

You know those instruction manuals that come with electronics, appliances, and other complicated products? Even though they are friendlier than they used to be, many people ignore the manuals and just push buttons till the thing does what you want … Continue reading

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