Tag Archives: examining options

Reality Check: Truth or Kindness?

Here’s a quandary for you. Martin and Maria are happily married and devoted to each other. Maria has a cat, Fluffy. Fluffy was Maria’s mother’s companion, and since Maria’s mom passed away, Fluffy has become even more precious to Maria. … Continue reading

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Truth or Kindness?

Reality Check: More Choice Language

The language we use can both reflect and shape our attitudes. While “choice language” usually refers to something a little spicier, in this column, choice language refers to words and phrases that reflect our choices and our areas of control. … Continue reading

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: More Choice Language

Reality Check: Entertaining Options

Are there actions in your life that you do mindlessly? For example, when you sit down to watch TV, do you choose the program? Or do you sit in front of whatever happens to be on, perhaps complaining (verbally or … Continue reading

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Entertaining Options

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

Posted in Personal Freedom | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Strings Attached

Reality Check: Lessons from First Aid

Whenever I have the good fortune to participate in training, I try to figure out whether the skills I’m learning can be more broadly applied. In first aid, for example, there’s the principle of protecting your own safety. Don’t put … Continue reading

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Lessons from First Aid

Reality Check: Wit’s end?

Are you ever at your “wit’s end?” You try everything you can think of to respond to a problem (usually a person-related problem), but nothing works to create the result you want. Interactions with others are sometimes delightful, other times … Continue reading

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Wit’s end?

Reality Check: I Regret that I Cannot…

Last post, I suggested that one way to reduce stress is to create habits for on-going chores. Assigning a specific time to mundane activities can reduce the perception of never being caught up. Chores don’t take over your life! How … Continue reading

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: I Regret that I Cannot…

Reality Check: Creating the Helpful Habit

Are you stressed? Is there too much to do, no time to do it? Do undone tasks scurry around in the back of your mind, popping up at inconvenient times? Many tasks are never fully done. Do you remember this … Continue reading

Posted in Making a Change | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Creating the Helpful Habit

Reality Check: New Year’s Values

It’s the traditional season to make promises to ourselves: how we’ll change our lives, what we will achieve, what disciplines we will force on ourselves… While each day is as valuable as another, taking stock of life at New Year’s … Continue reading

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: New Year’s Values

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

Posted in Personal Freedom | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Great Expectations