Category Archives: Personal Freedom

Reality Check: Make Something Good Happen

The transition from one year to the next often motivates us to make a change, preferably for the better. Maybe you want to set out on a new adventure or improve a relationship. Holidays often include opportunities to get together. … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Benefit of Mistakes

“Oops! I made a mistake.” Is there anyone out there who genuinely believes that they’ve never made a mistake? If that’s you, then I guess you can stop reading now. This column is for the rest of us—the mere mortals. … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Choosing Your Advisors

Whether we ask for it or not, we are often on the receiving end of advice. For example, when your mother-in-law tells you that you should have put your snow tires on two weeks ago, you might not have identified … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Lost for Words?

Do you know the “scolded puppy” feeling? If not, picture this: You’re in a conversation, and you perceive that you’re being criticized and misunderstood. Your opponent is using clever words and making excellent points. You have no response. So you … Continue reading

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Reality Check: A Step in the “Take Charge” Direction

The word “crisis” conveys a sense of urgency and it’s sometimes associated with the mental health system, accompanied by commentary that there aren’t enough resources and things are getting worse. Perhaps that’s true; perhaps it’s not. Allocation of resources will … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Other People’s Misery

Do you ever find yourself embracing misery that isn’t really yours? John does. Unlike others in his extended family, John feels that he has a duty to visit and maintain connection with his great-uncle Matthew. Far from expressing appreciation, Matthew … 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: Manufacturing Outrage

We could choose to deliberately shield ourselves from the world. However, most of us don’t. Thus, we are exposed to news items, study results, and opinions that you’d almost suspect were designed to provoke outrage in any “reasonable person.” One … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Happiness Choice

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: Great Expectations

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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