Tag Archives: internal & external control

Reality Check: Holding on to Your Keys

Of the clever book titles I’ve found, “People Can’t Drive You Crazy If You Don’t Give Them The Keys” by Dr. Mike Bechtle is among the catchiest. Bechtle clearly identifies that there are some things we can change and other … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Essence of Home

What makes a house a home? You’ve seen the decorative signs that say home is where the heart is or that love makes a house a home. What does that really mean? Feeling that we are loved is one of … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Our “What We Want” World

Dr. Wm. Glasser’s book, “Take Charge of Your Life” includes a chapter entitled “The Pictures in our Heads.” Does the concept of pictures in your head make sense to you? Do you have pictures in your head? Are they vivid … Continue reading

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Reality Check: What would you choose?

A story told by Dr. Glasser in Choice Theory describes a mother-daughter relationship that had once been good but has now turned sour. Mom works all day. She comes home; her teenage daughter is lazing around watching TV. The kitchen … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Doing our Best

What does it mean to do our best? As I’m far from perfect, I know that the best that I can do in a given situation isn’t necessarily the best that could be done. If “doing our best” doesn’t mean … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Choosing your Worry Boundaries

Can we choose to worry? Can we choose not to worry? If you identify yourself as a worrier, then the idea that you could choose not to worry probably sounds unrealistic. So let’s try this different, but related, question: Can … Continue reading

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Reality Check: To be Deliberate

It’s probably the influence of advertising, but the word “mindfulness” for me conjures up the image of a lovely woman in a yoga pose. Waterfalls, peace, and harmony abound. Being mindful—paying attention to the present moment—is a really helpful practice. … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Come by Chance

A tool that is often suggested to help us be happier and more satisfied is the practice of gratitude. You’ve seen it recommended here and probably elsewhere, too. It is, indeed, well and good to be grateful, count our blessings, … Continue reading

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Reality Check: A Chosen New Year

You’re only one person, but I know that you play many roles. You may be a mother or a father. You may be a partner in a relationship. Each of us is, or has been, someone’s child. You may identify … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Gratitude, Expectation, and Entitlement

“A whole dollar and seventy-six cents! What an insult! I should tell them to take their money and let them know right where to put it, too!” Whether you work for an hourly wage or a salary, receive a pension … Continue reading

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