Author Archives: RealityCheck

Reality Check: Entertaining Options

Are there actions in your life that you do mindlessly? For example, when you sit down to watch TV, do you choose the program? Or do you sit in front of whatever happens to be on, perhaps complaining (verbally or … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Offer of Information

A choice theory premise is that we can’t control other people; however, we can offer information. Someone who accepts information might learn a new fact, be persuaded to make a decision, or be influenced to act differently. Fundamentally, though, what … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Gift in the Event

Bad things can happen to anyone. While we can take action to try to prevent some bad things by driving cautiously, choosing friends carefully, eating reasonably, the reality is that many events are completely beyond our control. We do have … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Strong, Wise, or Stubborn?

Bob’s the kind of guy who always seems to know what to do and is always ready to lend a hand. He’s strong, capable, and independent. Then, Bob had a heart attack. Did that change Bob’s life? Well, the doctors … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Own It!

Have you heard any white lies lately? Maybe even told one or two of your own? We sometimes tell tiny falsehoods to avoid hurt feelings; fibs intended to be virtuous, not evil. However, just because we have positive intent with … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Strings Attached

The book, Choice Theory, by Dr. William Glasser is subtitled, “A New Psychology of Personal Freedom.” Glasser points out that the world is full of folks trying to control each other. These controlling behaviours cause plenty of misery—certainly for the … Continue reading

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Reality Check: When Something Stinks

With delicate precision, the grandkids smeared stinky cheese into Grandpa’s moustache while he snoozed. Grandpa awakes, it stinks! No matter where he goes, everything stinks. The whole world stinks! It can be surprisingly hard to tell whether it’s the whole … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Situational Confidence

Do you believe that having self-confidence is important, satisfying, and helpful? My next question: “Are you a self-confident person?” There are many competent, skilled, accomplished people who lack self-confidence, and they know it’s an unsatisfying state. You might think that … Continue reading

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Reality Check: What Three Words?

“Why so glum, Jim?” “I just got a compliment.  At least, I guess that’s what it was. I did a favour for Mary, and she told me how grateful she is to have me around, that I’m always so loyal … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Lessons from First Aid

Whenever I have the good fortune to participate in training, I try to figure out whether the skills I’m learning can be more broadly applied. In first aid, for example, there’s the principle of protecting your own safety. Don’t put … Continue reading

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