Author Archives: RealityCheck

Reality Check: A Picture of Perfection

Posted on September 24, 2012 by RealityCheck

Selma had looked forward to retirement with great anticipation. Healthy and frugal, with both a good pension and physical well-being, she pictured a perfect retirement. Travel, home renovations, dinners and outings with friends—all are experiences she’s been postponing. Now, it’s … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Not Every Battle

Posted on September 16, 2012 by RealityCheck

When Marie met Darcy, she immediately fell in love with his kind heart. Darcy never said no to any good cause, and as there are plenty of good causes, his practical skills and good nature kept him in high demand. … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Facebook Envy?

Posted on September 3, 2012 by RealityCheck

Progress has given us enhanced opportunities to connect with each other. Whereas a phone call could be perceived as an interruption, email (much like an old-fashioned letter!) can be read at leisure. Social networks, such as facebook, contribute another interesting … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Does thinking make it so?

Posted on August 26, 2012 by RealityCheck

“.. for there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” Shakespeare’s famous line elegantly expresses that different people perceive things in different ways. In this case, Hamlet expressed that he perceived Denmark as a prison; others … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Speak up or stand down, continued

Posted on August 19, 2012 by RealityCheck

We’ve already looked at a couple who had neglected to share important aspects of their lives with each other until it was almost too late. It is important to recognize when it’s time to speak up about what you are … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Speak up or stand down?

Posted on August 13, 2012 by RealityCheck

We each have our special qualities, yet groups of us share characteristics, such as whether one is an introvert or extravert. In her book, “Gifts Differing,” Isabel Briggs Myers states that there are more extraverts than introverts, with extraverts being … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Who’s the most effective saboteur?

Posted on August 6, 2012 by RealityCheck

Amanda and Annie are cousins. They have similar backgrounds, and they have faced similar challenges throughout their lives. There’s a significant difference between Amanda and Annie’s lives, though. Whenever a setback arises, Amanda is easily thrown off course while Annie … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: What is closure, and how does one get it?

Posted on July 29, 2012 by RealityCheck

Whether you have wronged someone or someone has wronged you, healing sometimes involves closure. Closure implies putting the event behind you; “closing the door,” so to speak. How does one get closure? Rachel was Emily’s best friend, but no longer. … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Worry Stoppers

Posted on July 22, 2012 by RealityCheck

“It is within your power to feel better.” That’s according to Dr. Bob Wubbolding, in “A Set of Directions for Putting and Keeping Yourself Together.” How much power do you have over your feelings? In choice theory, we say that … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: The Behaviour of Worrying

Posted on July 14, 2012 by RealityCheck

Whether it’s a significant fear or just a twinge of uneasiness, most folks experience the state of “being worried” from time to time. A variety of actions and thoughts come along for the ride when our main behaviour is worrying. … Continue reading →

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