Author Archives: RealityCheck

Reality Check: Optimism or Entitlement?

Which do you think leads to a happier, more satisfied life: Expecting that life will be easy and becoming disappointed when you learn that it’s difficult? Or expecting life to be hard and being pleasantly surprised when some things work … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Do you want to keep the hurt alive?

Have you ever been hurt? Probably so. I think that it’s the rare person who makes it through life without feeling that someone has done them wrong at some point. This series of columns is intended to provide suggestions to … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Proactive Happiness

In this series of columns on happiness, my goal is to help answer the question, “What can we do to be happier?” One excellent resource is “Mastering Happiness,” where Dr. Joel Wade discusses ten specific practices. If you adopt them, … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Barriers to Happiness

To start this New Year, I’m choosing to focus on happiness. For some time now, I’ve been interested in the question of why some people are happy while others are not. As I’ve studied this question, I’ve found books, articles, … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Choices of Conversation

It’s that time of year when people get together. Perhaps you’ll attend an office party to socialize with your fellow workers. Perhaps you’ll catch up with seldom-seen relatives. Maybe you’ll be partying with friends. In any case, it’s possible you’ll … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Gift

If you’ve gone shopping recently, you’ve likely noticed that there are quite a few people out and about! Some folks love being immersed in the hustle and bustle and excitement. However, as I’m not an enthusiastic shopper under the best … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Fear of Being Hurtful

Conflict is a human reality. Whenever two or more people need to interact, there’s an opportunity for conflict. Actually, I’ll take that back. Conflict doesn’t always require two people; there are times when I don’t even agree with myself! So … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Memories can be Beautiful

I feel a chill whenever I hear of someone being prosecuted for a crime that’s said to have happened many, many years ago. It’s particularly disquieting when the prosecution is not based on physical evidence but rather, based solely on … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Aesop’s Snake

Do you believe there’s good in everyone? That even the most awful person is good at their core? Values and beliefs form part of what Dr. Wm. Glasser refers to as our “Quality World.” Our beliefs influence our perceptions, decisions … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Dances with Feelings

When it comes to feelings, do you lead? Follow? Or just try to get out of their way? You may remember, “If it feels good, do it.” That slogan came with a prevailing “wisdom” that it’s not only OK for … Continue reading

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