Tag Archives: conflict

Reality Check: When You Need To Say No

Posted on January 5, 2023 by RealityCheck

Somewhere, sometime, someone is going to ask you for something. They may ask for your time, your help, your money. You want to say “No.” There are many valid reasons to decline. Maybe you feel stretched too thin. Maybe you … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationships | Tagged "should", anxiety, conflict, making choices | Comments Off

Reality Check: And the Word of the Year is…

Posted on December 11, 2022 by RealityCheck

Each year, Merriam-Webster—the dictionary people—declare a “Word of the Year” based on data about how frequently words were looked up. For 2022, the word is “gaslighting.” If you’re not familiar with gaslighting, Merriam-Webster defines it as “the act or practice … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged blame, choosing influences, choosing thoughts, conflict, internal & external control | Comments Off

Reality Check: When Someone Wants to Pick a Fight

Posted on September 18, 2022 by RealityCheck

Do you know someone who wants to pick a fight? Perhaps there’s somebody in your family or at work who wants to argue. Some people enjoy a fight. But the fact that someone wants to fight with you doesn’t mean … Continue reading →

Posted in Control and Choice | Tagged choosing actions, conflict, improving relationships, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: When the Choice Isn’t Clear

Posted on August 14, 2022 by RealityCheck

How do you make decisions? We’re influenced by experience, preferences, perhaps trustworthy advice. And there are emotions, too. When we’re feeling fearful, angry or resentful, we likely won’t make the same decisions as when we are brimming with confidence, love, … Continue reading →

Posted in Control and Choice | Tagged choosing actions, conflict, examining options, making choices | Comments Off

Reality Check: A Change of Mind

Posted on July 10, 2022 by RealityCheck

Like me, I suspect that you sometimes change your mind about small things. For example, you were going to have chicken but Johnny said, “The fish is really good here,” so you changed your mind. Johnny’s comment is new information. … Continue reading →

Posted in Develop Understanding | Tagged choosing influences, conflict, offering information, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: Adapting, Changing, and Getting Along

Posted on March 14, 2022 by RealityCheck

Change. Does it seem to you that we’ve been experiencing constant change? Both the viral disease and responses to the threat of that disease have brought changes that affect millions of people. Into this ever-changing environment now comes what? More … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationships | Tagged "should", anxiety, blame, conflict, improving relationships, offering information, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: Opinions, Beliefs, and Relationships

Posted on February 27, 2022 by RealityCheck

Do you base your opinions on facts? Science? Data? Common Sense? Of course you do. So do I. So, how can it be that we have different opinions about important things? It’s easy enough to accept that we have different … Continue reading →

Posted in Develop Understanding | Tagged choosing thoughts, conflict, improving relationships, learning | Comments Off

Reality Check: More Alike Than Different

Posted on January 24, 2022 by RealityCheck

In his bestseller, “All Things Being Equal,” author John Mighton proposes that widespread math competence could be the key to a better, more just world. What’s your reaction to that? I’m guessing that it might be anywhere from, “Yes, obviously!” … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged conflict, criticism, frustration, improving relationships | Comments Off

Reality Check: A Real Gift

Posted on December 26, 2021 by RealityCheck

Gift-giving is top of mind for many people at this time of year. While the unusual circumstances of the last two years may have changed some perspectives about what is important, gift purchases are still common. We buy products or … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationships | Tagged blame, choosing influences, conflict, criticism, examining wants | Comments Off

Reality Check: Can We Choose Our Response?

Posted on October 24, 2021 by RealityCheck

Travelling can be difficult at the best of times. As these times aren’t exactly the best of times, opportunities for difficulties are even higher now. Here’s a travel story; it’s about choices. For months, a friend we’ll call Emma has … Continue reading →

Posted in Control and Choice | Tagged anxiety, choosing thoughts, conflict, internal & external control, making choices | Comments Off