Author Archives: RealityCheck

Reality Check: Power and Embarrassment

Fear of embarrassment is powerful. Some folks will do almost anything to avoid feeling embarrassed. Why? According to choice theory, among the basic needs that we all share is a need for power; that is, to be respected and valued. … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Value of Compassion

What does it mean to be compassionate? What differentiates a compassionate person from others? Elsie values compassion; in her mind, it is simply the right way to be. She easily finds ways to treat strangers compassionately by giving of her … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Value of Perspective

Madison is afraid. As she understands it, polar bears are drowning, cities are flooding, our food is killing us, and artificially-intelligent appliances will become our masters. The world can be a frightening place, especially for a young person. Of course, … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Value of Delayed Gratification

Would you stop drinking all sugary drinks for a year for $500? That’s the offer that one family made to their children. You could view that as bribery. Or, you could view it as an innovative teaching method. Regardless, one … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Value of Purpose

“I personally believe that each and every one of us was put here for a purpose; that’s to build and not destroy.” Do you recognize those words? They came from Red Skelton—the comedian who poked fun at the pompous and … Continue reading

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Reality Check: “Should” versus “Could”

One little word sometimes makes a world of difference, doesn’t it? Some are obvious contrasts: “I love you” versus “I hate you;” or “I don’t care” versus “I do care.” However, other small changes are not so obvious, yet have … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Recalculating

Year end is a fine time to think about the big questions of life, such as: Where do I want to go? How will I get there? If you’re familiar with a certain brand of GPS (I call mine Martha) … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Comfort, Joy, and Food

There’s a reason why some foods are called “comfort food.” Like fuzzy socks or fleecy blankets, some foods evoke feelings of being safe, cared for, and satisfied. Whether your comfort food of choice is homemade bread, stew, or chicken pot … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Gift of the Long View

When her credit card bill arrived last January, Jessica came face-to-face with the reality of the shopping she’d done over the previous months. She had no idea that she had spent so much! Yet when she checked the charges, she … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Here’s to a Satisfying Holiday

For some folks, the prospect of holidays and the expectations that come with them can evoke feelings that are closer to dread than joy. And if our perception is that others effortlessly produce perfect food, gifts, and parties while surrounded … Continue reading

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