Category Archives: Relationships

Reality Check: Relationship Mistakes

Posted on December 3, 2023 by RealityCheck

Charles Schulz, of Peanuts fame, said something along the lines of, “I thought I made a mistake once, but I was wrong.” Until a few minutes ago, I believed that joke had originated with my family. Then I checked. Sure … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationships | Tagged examining options, examining wants, improving relationships, learning | Comments Off

Reality Check: Helpful and Unhelpful Conversations

Posted on October 1, 2023 by RealityCheck

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 | Comments Off

Reality Check: Ups and Downs of People Pleasing

Posted on May 14, 2023 by RealityCheck

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 | Comments Off

Reality Check: Negotiating Differences in a Relationship

Posted on February 26, 2023 by RealityCheck

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 →

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Reality Check: The Habit of Respect

Posted on February 19, 2023 by RealityCheck

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 | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Role of Trust in Relationships

Posted on February 12, 2023 by RealityCheck

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 | Comments Off

Reality Check: Acceptance of Reality as a Caring Habit

Posted on February 5, 2023 by RealityCheck

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 →

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Reality Check: The Caring Habit of Listening

Posted on January 29, 2023 by RealityCheck

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 | Comments Off

Reality Check: Encouragement as a Caring Habit

Posted on January 22, 2023 by RealityCheck

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 →

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Reality Check: The Caring Habit of Support

Posted on January 15, 2023 by RealityCheck

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 →

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