Reality Check: The Odds of Encouragement

Posted on February 2, 2025 by RealityCheck

What are the odds that you’ll happen to say something encouraging to someone who could really benefit from it at that very moment?
Encouragement is one of the seven caring habits that Dr. Glasser suggests will build relationships. Even if you don’t feel that you need to be into “relationship building,” building your encouragement skills can be beneficial for both you and for the people around you.
So, what are the odds? Probably not high, but it can make a real difference when one happens to receive encouragement at the right time. It’s also a gift for the giver to hear, “Thank you; I needed that.” Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: The Odds of Encouragement

Reality Check: Beginning a New Habit

Posted on January 14, 2025 by RealityCheck

Some folks approach the beginning of a New Year as the “Season of Good Intentions.” It’s January, a fresh new year stretches ahead of us. The possibilities are endless, or at least, they seem different than the “same old-same old” that we’re leaving behind. Out with the old, in with the new!
However, you may notice that good intentions are easier to talk about than to act on. For example, we might decide to be kinder in this new year, and then we notice that we’ve snapped at the cashier, fumed about all the people who can’t drive, and maybe even glared at the dog, who is, after all, just being a dog. Continue reading →

Posted in Making a Change | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Beginning a New Habit

Reality Check: That Fresh New Year Fragrance

Posted on January 5, 2025 by RealityCheck

Have you ever bought one of those air fresheners called “new car smell”? For a few bucks, you can bask in the scent of rich leather. Or maybe it’s rich vinyl. Either way, you can experience a luxurious new car scent without the inconvenience of having to part with thousands and thousands of dollars for an actual new car.
Different scents can trigger different emotions. When you walk into a room filled with the warm smell of freshly-baked cookies, doesn’t that make you feel happier? Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: That Fresh New Year Fragrance

Reality Check: The Present and the Presents

Posted on December 29, 2024 by RealityCheck

Presents are top of mind for many at this time of year. How I look at gift-giving and gift-receiving has changed over the years, and I suspect that it may have also changed for you. As we move along in our lives, it’s no surprise that our priorities, needs, and wants change.
Yet some things remain constant throughout our lives, and Choice Theory suggests that one of those constants is a set of basic needs. We have them when we start our lives and we keep them till the end. What may change, however, are the ways that we find to satisfy those needs as our lives change. Continue reading →

Posted in Develop Understanding | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: The Present and the Presents

Reality Check: What Encourages You?

Posted on December 29, 2024 by RealityCheck

Encouragement makes a difference in people’s lives. OK, that may just be my opinion, but I’m sticking with it. What do you think? Do you act differently when you are feeling encouraged compared to when you are discouraged?
My observation is that when we’re encouraged, we try harder. The going gets tough; we keep on plugging. We’re not as likely to throw in the towel and spend our precious time sitting in front of the TV muttering, “What’s the use?”
Does that matter in the big picture? I think so. Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: What Encourages You?

Reality Check: Is It Infectious?

Posted on December 15, 2024 by RealityCheck

Post-pandemic, we’re all aware of how easy it can be to catch something nasty. Thus, we take measures to prevent getting infected. We might avoid situations where we could be exposed to disease or we might try to build up our general health. Putting in a small effort to potentially prevent a big negative outcome is a pretty good investment!
Our bodies aren’t the only part of us that could “catch” something, though. How about feelings? Are they infectious? Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Is It Infectious?

Reality Check: It Takes Two to Insult

Posted on December 8, 2024 by RealityCheck

They say that it takes two to tango, but that’s not all! Lots of activities depend on cooperation, and it’s important to cooperate in many situations.
Is cooperation always the right thing? Of course not. When it’s an evil, destructive, or relationship-destroying action, then our cooperation doesn’t make it better. Mind you, different people’s perceptions of which specific actions are evil, destructive, etc. are different. But in general, cooperating on positive things can lead to positive outcomes. Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: It Takes Two to Insult

Reality Check: The Things That Are Working

Posted on December 1, 2024 by RealityCheck

As the grey days of winter set in, spirits can turn grey too. Winter is coming; will it be a hard one or an easy one? Predictions aren’t perfect, but it’s safe to say it’ll get colder and there will probably be snow!
Focusing on the future is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it helps us prepare. We can gather warm clothes before the days get cold; stock supplies in case the power goes out. Planning ahead is a practical life strategy.
However, a future focus can also feed uncertainty and dread. Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: The Things That Are Working

Reality Check: Can Good Come From Setbacks?

Posted on November 24, 2024 by RealityCheck

“How’s it going?” Has anyone asked you that recently? If so, how do you respond? Often we say, “Fine,” regardless of what’s happening. It is a practical answer, especially if we believe that the person asking isn’t really interested in our current life story.
Fact is, there are some times in our lives that do go better than others, don’t they? Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Perspective | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Can Good Come From Setbacks?

Reality Check: Stocking the Toolkit

Posted on November 24, 2024 by RealityCheck

If you wanted to equip a young person with the tools they need to have a satisfying life, what would you choose?
My long-standing answer contains only three items: we need to be able to read, to write, and to do basic math. Why those?
If we can read well, then we have a great opportunity to learn. And we aren’t limited to learning what the people around us want us to learn, either. We have the freedom to seek a wide variety of knowledge, from the ancient to the modern. Continue reading →

Posted in Develop Understanding | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reality Check: Stocking the Toolkit