Tag Archives: happiness

Reality Check: “Good Thing” Accountability

Posted on September 12, 2022 by RealityCheck

Accountability. We know it’s good for us. Yet, it sounds kind of naggy and judgey. Like, “You said you’d do this and now I’m holding you accountable. So ‘fess up; did you do what you said you would do?” It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Making a Change | Tagged choosing thoughts, encouragement, gratitude, happiness | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Effect of Small Encouragements

Posted on July 3, 2022 by RealityCheck

Vera is a seasoned citizen, and like every other grown-up, she’s becoming more seasoned by the day! Because she wants this phase of her life be as positive and productive as possible, she’s adopted various practices. Her plan is to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged encouragement, happiness, helpful, motivation | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Dashboards of our Lives

Posted on May 8, 2022 by RealityCheck

For some of us, a “dashboard” refers to a collection of lights and indicators in a vehicle. For others, a dashboard brings to mind a webpage that shows system status and controls. In either case, a dashboard provides information about … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged frustration, happiness, internal & external control, making choices, need satisfaction | Comments Off

Reality Check: To Fill a Caring Gap

Posted on February 13, 2022 by RealityCheck

When we’re not able to satisfy our basic needs, we’re unhappy. So I proposed examining our needs. Find out whether our needs are being met. If not, where are the gaps? You may be thinking, it’s all well and good … Continue reading →

Posted in Belonging | Tagged gratitude, happiness, improving relationships, need satisfaction | Comments Off

Reality Check: Getting in the Mood

Posted on July 18, 2021 by RealityCheck

Are we prisoners of our moods? Some days we feel great from the moment we wake up; others not so much. Why? We could blame the weather. Maybe it’s that incomprehensible jumble of hormones inside our bodies. Or it could … Continue reading →

Posted in Control and Choice | Tagged "should", choosing thoughts, frustration, happiness, internal & external control | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Encouragement of Youth

Posted on May 3, 2021 by RealityCheck

The recent passing of Prince Philip reminded me about the Duke of Edinburgh award, and that it’s important to encourage youth in positive directions. Encouragement—or a lack of encouragement—can make a significant difference for us, whether we are youthful or … Continue reading →

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged confidence, encouragement, examining wants, happiness, persistence, responsibility | Comments Off

Reality Check: A Morning Outlook

Posted on April 4, 2021 by RealityCheck

How’s your morning outlook? Sunny and bright? Cold and dreary? Maybe it’s unsettled; you’ll wait to see how the day goes. These outlooks could be describing the weather forecast, but our internal outlook is more interesting. What control do we … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged choosing thoughts, discouragement, happiness, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Companions on our Journey

Posted on March 28, 2021 by RealityCheck

If you associate Pythagoras with unhappy high-school math memories, then you might be surprised to find a quote attributed to him about friendship and happiness. Here it is: “Friends are as companions on a journey, who ought to aid each … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationships | Tagged encouragement, gratitude, happiness, persistence | Comments Off

Reality Check: Finding the Good Thing

Posted on January 31, 2021 by RealityCheck

Humans seem to be wired to easily recognize bad things—danger, fear, hostility—and skip over good things. I’m sure there’s a perfectly sensible survival-related reason for that. However, if the lens we look through shows us only negatives, it makes for … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged anxiety, choosing thoughts, happiness, perception, unhappiness | Comments Off

Reality Check: A Look at Happiness

Posted on January 3, 2021 by RealityCheck

What does it mean to be happy? Is it selfish to want to be happy? Do some people seek happiness in a bad way? Is there a formula for happiness? So many questions; so few answers. But as we come … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged choosing thoughts, examining wants, happiness, perception | Comments Off