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articles and observations inspired by the work of Dr. William GlasserCategories
Author Archives: RealityCheck
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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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
Posted in Helping Others
Tagged basic needs, making choices, offering information
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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
Posted in Perception & Reality
Tagged anxiety, choosing influences, worry
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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
Posted in Choosing Behaviour
Tagged choosing actions, examining wants, need satisfaction
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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
Posted in Satisfaction
Tagged choosing thoughts, dissatisfaction, making choices
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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
Posted in Choosing Behaviour
Tagged "should", criticism, guilt, self-evaluation
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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
Posted in Choosing Behaviour
Tagged choosing actions, examining wants, self-evaluation
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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
Posted in Choosing Behaviour
Tagged choosing actions, guilt, need satisfaction
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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
Posted in Making a Change
Tagged examining wants, making choices, self-evaluation
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