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Welcome to Reality Check:
articles and observations inspired by the work of Dr. William GlasserCategories
Category Archives: Relationships
Reality Check: Building a Happier Marriage
Fundamental to choice theory is its emphasis on our basic human need for love and belonging. One way we attempt to satisfy that need is through marriage. The idea of marriage is great. Two people publicly declare their love and … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged blame, choosing actions, improving relationships, internal & external control, unhappiness
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Reality Check: Thank you; I accept your offer
Do you find it hard to accept gifts? If you fret about what other people think about you, accepting can be difficult. Gillian has money woes. She lost financial ground after a job loss and went into debt. Although she’s … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged choosing actions, gratitude, perception
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Reality Check: Mistake-Proofing for Relationships
Mistakes happen. When you make a mistake, you probably take some kind of action to try to correct it. But wouldn’t it be great if we could prevent mistakes from happening in the first place? Businesses that intend to survive … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged choosing actions, examining wants, offering information
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Reality Check: Feeling Unappreciated?
Have you ever felt as if you give and give and give, yet receive little appreciation in return? Neighbours Sara and Michelle are different: Michelle gregarious and fun-loving, Sara introspective and serious. Despite their differences, they are content as neighbours, … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged examining wants, frustration, need satisfaction, perception
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Reality Check: The Scorekeeping Relationship
Last time, I made a case for keeping score in our lives. Keeping track of data about how we spend our time, what we do with our money, or even how much we eat can be helpful. It provides us … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged "should", comparing with others, fairness, improving relationships
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Reality Check: Better Left Unsaid?
Communication is generally recognized as being essential to the development of satisfying relationships. I’m not just talking about romantic relationships here. All kinds of relationships: friends, work-related, parent-child, student-teacher, benefit when people can communicate effectively. Did you notice the word … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged criticism, frustration, improving relationships
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Reality Check: Friendly Support
“You can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family!” As we can, indeed, choose our friends, it makes sense that friendship would be supportive, encouraging, and helpful for both people. But that’s not always the case. Some friend … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged "should", improving relationships, offering information
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Reality Check: The Give and Take of Communication
There are so many communication pitfalls that it’s amazing that we can communicate at all! It’s not that we can’t make ourselves heard, rather, it’s the understanding /being understood part that’s so problematic. Rebecca has a hard time communicating with … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged "should", blame, improving relationships, perception
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Reality Check: A Sustainable Relationship
Sustainability. It’s a popular word now, and its relevance is not limited to trees and trash. Thinking about sustainability implies thinking long term. For example, consider a sustainably-harvested woodlot. What do you see? Some trees ready for harvest, some left … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged improving relationships, offering information, perception
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