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Welcome to Reality Check:
articles and observations inspired by the work of Dr. William GlasserCategories
Tag Archives: freedom
Reality Check: The paradoxical freedom of structure
If you’re like a lot of us, you don’t appreciate it when someone tells you what you should do. Some of us take that distaste for being “told” even further. We’ll keep our options open, even to the point where … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Perspective
Tagged basic needs, freedom, making choices, priorities
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Reality Check: Should, Could, Would Like to
Dinah feels exhausted every morning, even before her day gets started. Why? She has an impossibly huge list of tasks, all conveniently stored in a jumble in her head. She thinks, “I should call that customer,” “I should pick up … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Behaviour
Tagged "should", basic needs, freedom, making choices
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Reality Check: Sidestep your Traps
Why do I keep doing that? I should know better by now! That’s the way Sophie beats herself up after conversations with her mother. Why, indeed? The relationship with her mom was never great. Sophie is warm and outgoing, whereas … Continue reading
Posted in Control and Choice
Tagged conflict, criticism, freedom, perception, power
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Reality Check: The two sides of protection
Could anyone possibly be against something named “Safe Food for Canadians”? The recent discussion around potentially negative impacts of new food safety regulations on small food producers is a good reminder that just because something has an appealing name doesn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Perspective
Tagged basic needs, freedom, making choices, responsibility, win-win
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Reality Check: The Happiness of Eliminating Options
Keeping our options open is often perceived as positive. “What are you doing for vacation?” “I’m keeping my options open.” Or, “Have you decided who you will marry?” “No, I’m keeping my options open.” There’s a delightful sense of freedom … Continue reading
Posted in Control and Choice
Tagged anxiety, freedom, making choices, perception
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Reality Check: Can I Ruin Your Vacation?
Just to be clear, I don’t want to ruin your vacation! Nor am I asking, “May I ruin your vacation?” as in, “Will you give me permission to ruin your vacation?” No, my question is, “Do I have the ability … Continue reading
Posted in Control and Choice
Tagged freedom, improving relationships, internal & external control
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Reality Check: More Retirement Planning
Whether you are looking forward to retirement with delight or trepidation, planning can help. While financial planning can help satisfy your need for survival, it’s also important to consider other needs. Last column, I suggested finding ways to satisfy your … Continue reading
Posted in Fun
Tagged "should", freedom, fun, making choices
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Reality Check: The Words of Choice
Although we humans do a lot of talking (and occasionally listening), it can still be difficult to understand each other. Even the words we use with ourselves—our internal dialog—can shape how we understand our lives. Do we believe that we … Continue reading
Posted in Choosing Behaviour
Tagged choosing thoughts, freedom, perception
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Reality Check: The Other Toxin
If you pay attention to health-related matters, then you’ve heard of toxins. Whether in air, food, or water, toxins are often suspected of causing disease. There’s another toxin that can have a significant impact on one’s life: the toxic relationship! … Continue reading
Posted in Relationships
Tagged examining wants, freedom, improving relationships
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