Tag Archives: improving relationships

Reality Check: I Heard a Story

I heard a story recently. Here’s how it goes: “When mom was admitted to the hospital, the nurse asked me to come in and show them how I handle mom’s feeding tube.” What was your first reaction to that statement? … Continue reading

Posted in Perception & Reality | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: I Heard a Story

Reality Check: The Little Red Hens

Do you visualize how things should be? For example, do you picture how kids should act? What your spouse should do? How friends should behave? Perhaps you have bigger pictures, such as how the county should progress, how the country … Continue reading

Posted in Control and Choice | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: The Little Red Hens

Reality Check: A Step in the “Take Charge” Direction

The word “crisis” conveys a sense of urgency and it’s sometimes associated with the mental health system, accompanied by commentary that there aren’t enough resources and things are getting worse. Perhaps that’s true; perhaps it’s not. Allocation of resources will … Continue reading

Posted in Personal Freedom | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: A Step in the “Take Charge” Direction

Reality Check: The Reluctant Leader

In a workplace, folks sometimes find themselves “promoted” into a position they’d really rather not have, but perceive that they have no choice but to accept. Shelly has been appointed the informal leader of her team. At the time, it … Continue reading

Posted in Workplace | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: The Reluctant Leader

Reality Check: Relationships and the Power Need

Last time, I suggested that a marriage where both people have a high need for power and low need for love and belonging may present challenges. However, that doesn’t mean that such a couple is doomed to a life of … Continue reading

Posted in Relationships | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Relationships and the Power Need

Reality Check: Marriage — Who’s in Charge?

If you’re happily married, you may have an easy, good-humoured response to the question of who’s in charge in your marriage. Did you say, “my wife/husband”? If you’re struggling in your marriage, however, you may also have a quick response … Continue reading

Posted in Relationships | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Marriage — Who’s in Charge?

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 , , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Building a Happier Marriage

Reality Check: What Does Love & Support Look Like?

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, so along with eating heart-shaped candies and buying heart-shaped jewellery, it seems like an appropriate time to think about love. What does love and support look like to you? If you buy into some … Continue reading

Posted in Love & Belonging | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: What Does Love & Support Look Like?

Reality Check: The Value of Support

Last post, I told a little story about Sally and her intent to invite a roommate to share her living space. Based on your knowledge of the situation, you anticipated that this arrangement wouldn’t work well. In other words, you … Continue reading

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: The Value of Support

Reality Check: If I Know What’s Right for You…

Do you know what’s right for someone else? It’s easy to think that we know exactly what someone should do, think, or feel. And then, it’s easy to tell them! Dr. William Glasser associates the “I-know-what’s-right-for-you” perspective with misery. In … Continue reading

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: If I Know What’s Right for You…