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articles and observations inspired by the work of Dr. William GlasserCategories
Author Archives: RealityCheck
Reality Check: To Choose or Not to Choose?
In recent public service ads, a teenager says something like, “My parents didn’t tell me that driving while high was a bad idea, so it must be ok.” One logical response is, “If your parents didn’t tell you it’s a … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Behaviour
Tagged "should", guilt, making choices, offering information
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Reality Check: The Big Sigh
Memorable sayings aren’t always elegant and this one, though a little crude, is also unforgettable: “Assume—it makes an ass of u and me.” Making an assumption doesn’t literally turn you or me into a body part. (I know because I’ve … Continue reading
Posted in Perception & Reality
Tagged conflict, improving relationships, perception
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Reality Check: The Give and Take of Communication
There are so many communication pitfalls that it’s amazing that we can communicate at all! It’s not that we can’t make ourselves heard, rather, it’s the understanding /being understood part that’s so problematic. Rebecca has a hard time communicating with … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged "should", blame, improving relationships, perception
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Reality Check: Building Emotional Resources
What comes to mind when you think of resources? There are natural resources—forests, fresh water, and minerals. There are financial resources—money in the bank and those toonies in your pocket. Companies refer to human resources—employees with skills and knowledge who … Continue reading
Posted in Doing, Thinking, Feeling, Physiology
Tagged choosing actions, happiness, total behaviour
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Reality Check: A Sustainable Relationship
Sustainability. It’s a popular word now, and its relevance is not limited to trees and trash. Thinking about sustainability implies thinking long term. For example, consider a sustainably-harvested woodlot. What do you see? Some trees ready for harvest, some left … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged improving relationships, offering information, perception
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Reality Check: Their Good News
How do you respond when someone tells you their good news? In his book Flourish, Martin Seligman describes four ways of responding, and suggests that only one of those ways is helpful for relationship building. Let’s look at an example. … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged criticism, happiness, improving relationships
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Reality Check: When Positive Thinking Meets External Control
Last post, I suggested that positive thinking can be helpful, but with a caveat—to be effective, it needs to be paired with positive action. So, if positive thinking is good, then shouldn’t everybody get on board? You know, “Turn that … Continue reading
Posted in Helping Others
Tagged "should", choosing thoughts, offering information
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Reality Check: The Ups and Downs of Positive Thinking
Do you “think positively?” Do you believe that it’s important and helpful to do so? One of the appealing aspects of choice theory for me is its positive message and optimistic view of human possibility. By recognizing what we can … Continue reading
Posted in Doing, Thinking, Feeling, Physiology
Tagged choosing thoughts, confidence, learning, total behaviour
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