Author Archives: RealityCheck

Reality Check: New Year’s Values

Posted on January 12, 2014 by RealityCheck

It’s the traditional season to make promises to ourselves: how we’ll change our lives, what we will achieve, what disciplines we will force on ourselves… While each day is as valuable as another, taking stock of life at New Year’s … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Fume or Fun?

Posted on December 22, 2013 by RealityCheck

Some situations seem to call for obvious reactions. However, even when we think there’s only one logical response, there are often many options available for our choosing. How can we figure out which choice is most effective? Doris’s husband, Bob, … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Stewing on a Setback

Posted on December 15, 2013 by RealityCheck

If the word “stew” only brings to mind that tasty dish from a crockpot, you’re fortunate! For many, stewing means worrying, and it’s often over something completely out of one’s control.  Everybody has setbacks, and it can be mighty difficult … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Esteem Essentials

Posted on December 8, 2013 by RealityCheck

Can you raise someone’s self-esteem? Perhaps more to the point, can you (or anyone) lower someone’s self-esteem? The choice theory view is that we can’t make anyone (other than ourselves) happy, sad, angry, or anything else; each of us does … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: The Happiness Choice

Posted on December 1, 2013 by RealityCheck

The William Glasser organization just launched a website called Mental Health & Happiness at www.mentalhealthandhappiness.com Associating mental health with happiness may not make sense if your picture of happiness is giddy laughter, personal indulgence, or fantastic luck. If so, you … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Young People Today…

Posted on November 24, 2013 by RealityCheck

How would you finish the phrase, “Young people today…”? A frequent theme is, “Young people today don’t want to work,” or “Young people today can’t handle money,” or “Young people today expect to be taken care of.” That criticism often … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: The Other Toxin

Posted on November 17, 2013 by RealityCheck

If you pay attention to health-related matters, then you’ve heard of toxins. Whether in air, food, or water, toxins are often suspected of causing disease. There’s another toxin that can have a significant impact on one’s life: the toxic relationship! … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Great Expectations

Posted on November 10, 2013 by RealityCheck

Hannah perceives that she is criticized. When family or friends get together, she comes away feeling like an underachiever. Her brother’s children excel, her sister makes more money, and her friends’ lives are more exciting. Although no one is critical … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Turn Around

Posted on November 3, 2013 by RealityCheck

Relationships have differences. If those differences aren’t handled well, they can lead to unfortunate consequences: marriage breakup, financial hardship, traumatized children. Differences at work can lead to people quitting or being fired, to stress, anxiety, lost productivity, and lost opportunities. … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Attitude in Action

Posted on October 28, 2013 by RealityCheck

What’s the most important attribute for success? Ask an employer, teacher, or coach, and it’s pretty likely that somewhere in the answer you’ll find reference to the need for “a good attitude.” In fact, entire libraries could be filled with … Continue reading →

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