Greetings!
Welcome to Reality Check:
articles and observations inspired by the work of Dr. William GlasserCategories
Category Archives: Choosing Perspective
Reality Check: Aged and Happy
If we are fortunate, we grow old. If we are happy and satisfied as we grow old, we are very fortunate indeed. What contributes to being happy as we grow older? In recent columns, I’ve concentrated on practices suggested by … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Perspective
Tagged choosing actions, choosing thoughts, happiness, making choices
Comments Off on Reality Check: Aged and Happy
Reality Check: Optimism or Entitlement?
Which do you think leads to a happier, more satisfied life: Expecting that life will be easy and becoming disappointed when you learn that it’s difficult? Or expecting life to be hard and being pleasantly surprised when some things work … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Perspective
Tagged choosing influences, choosing thoughts, happiness, perception
Comments Off on Reality Check: Optimism or Entitlement?
Reality Check: Do you want to keep the hurt alive?
Have you ever been hurt? Probably so. I think that it’s the rare person who makes it through life without feeling that someone has done them wrong at some point. This series of columns is intended to provide suggestions to … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Perspective
Tagged blame, dissatisfaction, happiness, making choices, unhappiness
Comments Off on Reality Check: Do you want to keep the hurt alive?
Reality Check: Barriers to Happiness
To start this New Year, I’m choosing to focus on happiness. For some time now, I’ve been interested in the question of why some people are happy while others are not. As I’ve studied this question, I’ve found books, articles, … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Perspective
Tagged examining wants, guilt, happiness, perception
Comments Off on Reality Check: Barriers to Happiness
Reality Check: Memories can be Beautiful
I feel a chill whenever I hear of someone being prosecuted for a crime that’s said to have happened many, many years ago. It’s particularly disquieting when the prosecution is not based on physical evidence but rather, based solely on … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Perspective
Tagged choosing influences, choosing thoughts, perception
Comments Off on Reality Check: Memories can be Beautiful
Reality Check: The Purpose of Difficulty?
At some point in your life, you will probably go through a difficult patch. Perhaps you perceive that you have had more than your share of difficulties already. Maybe you’ve witnessed someone whose life seems to be filled with one … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Perspective
Tagged choosing actions, choosing thoughts, discouragement, perception
Comments Off on Reality Check: The Purpose of Difficulty?
Reality Check: The Shamrock Plant
On a special occasion years ago, my Aunt Kathleen gifted me with a shamrock plant. For years, I’d admired hers. It flourished beautifully and was always in bloom. Now, I had my own! My plant, however, isn’t quite so consistent … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Perspective
Tagged choosing thoughts, internal & external control, perception
Comments Off on Reality Check: The Shamrock Plant
Reality Check: Velcro or Teflon?
According to psychologist Rick Hanson, PhD, knowledge from neuroscience, positive psychology, and contemplative practices can be connected to help people develop greater contentment, resilience to stress, and peace of mind. In “Just One Thing,” (Hanson’s newsletter) he offers practical suggestions … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Perspective
Tagged choosing thoughts, gratitude, happiness, perception
Comments Off on Reality Check: Velcro or Teflon?
Reality Check: The Battle of the Hummingbirds
If you have a hummingbird feeder, then you know the routine. A single hummingbird will sit on a perch and eat. But add another, and suddenly everybody is flitting around, hovering, staring, chasing, and squawking. More energy is spent bothering … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Perspective
Tagged "should", comparing with others, examining wants, fairness
Comments Off on Reality Check: The Battle of the Hummingbirds