Category Archives: How it is sometimes

Reality Check: When We Choose To Give Up

Posted on July 21, 2026 by RealityCheck

What does it mean to “give up”? Perhaps the first picture that comes to your mind is surrender. We’ve thrown our hands in the air, reached our limit, “That’s it; I’m done.” Sounds pretty negative, doesn’t it? On the other … Continue reading →

Posted in Control and Choice, Making a Change, Needs | Comments Off

Reality Check: Staying Alive

Posted on July 14, 2026 by RealityCheck

Have you ever taken a CPR course? Or maybe you can recall music from the ‘70s? If so, I imagine that the words, “Staying Alive” bring a little tune to mind. Feel free to hum along as you read. Staying … Continue reading →

Posted in Needs | Tagged basic needs, conflict, need satisfaction | Comments Off

Reality Check: Love and Belonging

Posted on July 6, 2026 by RealityCheck

According to Choice Theory, we have basic needs, and much of what we do is an attempt to satisfy those needs. Some actions are effective; others not so much. Most of the time, we likely don’t think of needs as … Continue reading →

Posted in Belonging | Tagged basic needs, improving relationships, need satisfaction | Comments Off

Reality Check: Positive Power

Posted on June 29, 2026 by RealityCheck

The Choice Theory approach to human behaviour includes the idea that we have basic needs. There are just five of those needs, and in recent columns I’ve explored two: freedom and fun. This time, I’ll take a look at another … Continue reading →

Posted in Power | Tagged basic needs, choosing actions, choosing thoughts, power | Comments Off

Reality Check: Are We Having Fun Yet?

Posted on June 22, 2026 by RealityCheck

When was the last time you said, “That was fun!” Not sarcastically, but with genuine appreciation for time spent laughing. Was it today? Yesterday? Last week? Or maybe you have some vague memories of fun times when you were a … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun | Tagged basic needs, choosing actions, examining wants, fun, happiness | Comments Off

Reality Check: What Does Freedom Mean To You?

Posted on June 19, 2026 by RealityCheck

“How do you want your life to be?” In these columns, I’ve chosen to use the structure of basic needs as outlined in Choice Theory to help us answer that question. We’ll start by taking a look at our basic … Continue reading →

Posted in Freedom... | Tagged basic needs, freedom, happiness, need satisfaction | Comments Off

Reality Check: Could Organizing Your Wants Change Your Life?

Posted on June 12, 2026 by RealityCheck

I have an important question for you and it’s only four words long: “What do you want?” Perhaps you can easily produce a detailed list of exactly what things you want, what people you want in your life, what values … Continue reading →

Posted in Needs | Tagged basic needs, examining wants, need satisfaction | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Wisdom of the Second Look

Posted on October 13, 2025 by RealityCheck

When we cross a busy street, we look both ways to make sure the coast is clear. It’s often prudent to take a second look before we set out, as we might overlook a potential threat the first time. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Needs | Tagged basic needs, choosing thoughts, examining wants, need satisfaction | Comments Off

Reality Check: Have You Had a Laugh Today?

Posted on April 28, 2024 by RealityCheck

There are times when laughter may be the furthest thing from our minds. We are, after all, mature responsible adults. We need to be sensible, serious, and handle things. We may not see much room or opportunity for the frivolity … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun | Tagged basic needs, discouragement, dissatisfaction, fun, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Most Basic Need of All

Posted on April 15, 2023 by RealityCheck

In recent columns, I’ve explored four of the five basic needs that Dr. Glasser suggested are common to all of us. Among those needs is the need for love and belonging. We need to know that we are not alone … Continue reading →

Posted in Needs | Tagged basic needs, need satisfaction | Comments Off