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articles and observations inspired by the work of Dr. William GlasserCategories
Category Archives: Relationships
Reality Check: Helpful and Unhelpful Conversations
People talk. We often take it for granted, but the fact that we are able to communicate really is one of the delights of being human. It enables us to learn, create, innovate, and express emotion. Our communication is not … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged choosing actions, conflict, examining wants, offering information
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Reality Check: Ups and Downs of People Pleasing
Jo is upset. She would like to please her friend Maggie but if she does, she’ll end up unhappy with herself. Maggie is insisting that Jo spend essentially all of her free time with her. We all know that no … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged "should", dissatisfaction, examining wants, making choices
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Reality Check: Negotiating Differences in a Relationship
The seventh and final caring habit in Dr. Glasser’s list of caring habits is “always negotiating disagreements,” which I refer to as negotiating differences. It might seem odd to think of negotiations when we’re talking about personal relationships. Negotiating sounds … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged choosing actions, conflict, improving relationships, negotiation
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Reality Check: The Habit of Respect
If you’ve been following recent columns, you’ll know that I’ve been examining Dr. Glasser’s caring habits for building relationships, one at a time. To recap, those habits are: supporting, encouraging, listening, accepting, trusting, respecting, and negotiating differences. We’ve now come … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged choosing actions, choosing thoughts, improving relationships, perception
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Reality Check: The Role of Trust in Relationships
How trusting are you? If you heard yourself described as a trusting person, would you take that as positive or negative? Does trusting mean that you are gullible? My perception is that trust is a very good thing, in some … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged improving relationships, perception, trust
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Reality Check: Acceptance of Reality as a Caring Habit
Some people’s lives seem naturally filled with good, close relationships while others have a difficult time getting along with anyone. I certainly don’t have an easy answer for why these disparities exist. We only have control over some things. Thus, … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged choosing thoughts, conflict, examining wants, perception
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Reality Check: The Caring Habit of Listening
We have many kinds of relationships. Some we choose, such as with our friends. Others are created through work, volunteering, or other connections. All of our relationships may not be chosen, but they can still be cooperative and functional. In … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged encouragement, improving relationships, perception
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Reality Check: Encouragement as a Caring Habit
In a world where it can feel that we have little control over so much, it’s helpful to recognize what we can control—especially when it has a significant effect on our quality of life. The care and nurturing of relationships … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged encouragement, examining wants, improving relationships
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Reality Check: The Caring Habit of Support
Unsatisfying relationships are at the heart of many unsatisfied lives. Good relationships are essential, but how do we get them? Is it luck? Accident? We see plenty of appeals to “be kind.” Will that do the trick? In “Take Charge … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged improving relationships
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