Maureen Craig McIntosh

09/22/2025

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09/08/2025

Could we really get along in a world without coercion? What is coercion anyway? According to Oxford Dictionary: “it is the action of making somebody do something that they do not want to do, using force or threatening to use force.”
How many times a day do you hear the phrase; “how does that make you feel or how did that make you feel? How often do we hear in relationships, “he She made me so mad” ?
Is any of this. True? Elenore D Rosevelt once said: “no one can make you feel inferior without your permission.” I would add that no one can make you anything. It is a choice you have even if you are being coerced.
We often hear: “I didn’t have a choice!” He threatened to “fire me!”. What drives us to believe we don’t have a choice? In today’s world and even the world I grew up in external control is alive and well and relationships are being damaged every day because of it.
Would it be nice to have an alternative to this. I am inviting you to join us at our next Choice Theory program that is way more than just learning a theory. It is full of tools and alternatives to living a happier and more productive life at work, at home and at play. It starts next week so do not wait. Registration closes on Monday September 16.
The course is being offered in Riverview September 18-21 in person or online- your choice. Just send me a private message or see the link in the comment section below.

08/15/2025

We Have All Been There
People often say to me that I am so calm. They say nothing seems to rattle you. Here’s the thing, there are lots of things that bother me, but I know I can choose how to behave towards what’s happening. It is not always easy, but I have learned that getting upset only hurts me. I feel good inside when I handle a situation. Here is an example:
I have an ongoing mix up with an organization that will remain nameless. Now trying to reach them is like giving up your life for a day and then not sure if you will actually talk with someone. So today, I deliberately set aside this morning to finally reach an agent. They told me the best time to call is at the beginning or end of the day. I waited 15 minutes – not too bad.
I was put on hold three times for 4 minutes but through all that I believe I was getting my message through. Did I feel like upsetting myself and the agent – yes but that would get me nowhere. Finally, by choosing patience I learned something new. Did you know that learning something new satisfies the need for fun? By the time the call was over it was about 1 hr and 5min. I thanked the agent, and I think I got somewhere.
Then not even an hour later, I get another call from another agent. My scales tipped out of balance . I was still trying to get some breakfast. However, I chose patience again. Was I feeling frustrated? Yes, I was but it would not serve me to yell or do any other behavior. By the time I finished the second call, the agent said to me: “Thank-you for being so patient! I responded Your welcome: it is not that it has not be tested! We both laughed. I could tell he really wanted to get this cleared up for me.
It is sad that while waiting a message is saying to please be patient and kind when talking with the agent and that abuse will not be tolerated.
Would you like to learn how to be calm in a given situation, how to choose your responses so you. Feel good after? My mentor/teacher Dr. William Glasser taught me a long time ago that I cannot control what happens to me, but I can control how I respond to it.
When you understand how the mind works and the difference between Internal and external control and the choices you can choose. Life suddenly becomes easier. Join us this September 19, 2025 for the first level of the international certification program in Choice Theory. Find out more here and contact me: www.choicetheorytraining.com

08/13/2025

Are you interested in having mental illness obsolete? Isn’t that an interesting statement. According to Jon Carlson PsyD, Ed.D, ABPP Dr. Glasser’s work offers a plan on just how to do that.

Better yet, Dr Glasser created certification learning programs available to anyone who wants to learn the ideas to live their lives more effectively.

I did my first training program in 1987 and all these years later, what I learned has informed my day-to-day life. I am not saying my life is perfect, but it is more than 100 percent better than it was before I learned these ideas.While my life isn't flawless, the principles I learned have enhanced it beyond measure.

As a nurse, I not only incorporated these ideas into my personal life but also shared them with my clients, particularly in Sexual Health, assisting them in improving their relationships with important individuals.

Transitioning into a licensed counseling therapist role, I continued to apply these principles, finding them immensely valuable in aiding others and empowering them to support those around them. Even in my certified coaching practice, these concepts have proven instrumental.

Choice Theory training isn't just theoretical; it provides a practical framework for comprehending and enhancing human behavior, relationships, and decision-making. It serves as the essential component in understanding these facets of life.

For those interested in exploring our upcoming training program, please visit https://lnkd.in/eK9m8h6. # William Glasser, # Personal and Professional Development, # decision making # human behaviour

08/10/2025

FIRE WATCH

Please be aware as we continue to be at a high fire watch risk in southeastern New Brunswick due to the prolonged period of hot, dry, and dangerous conditions.

🚫 No burning is permitted in Albert County at this time.
Burning conditions are updated daily at 2:00 p.m. on the provincial Fire Watch site – https://buff.ly/HXHSu5P

Help prevent wildfires:
✔️ Report any signs of fire or smoke immediately (911)
✔️ Never toss cigarette butts on the ground
✔️ Avoid parking on dry grass
✔️ Keep fire pits and BBQs well away from dry brush and only have fires when burning is permitted

If you see a fire burning during a fire ban (even in your neighbour's back yard) please call 9-1-1 so that our crews can ensure these are extinguished.
🚨 Early reporting = rapid response = reduced damage.

Let’s all do our part to keep our community safe.

07/31/2025

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What You Need to Know about Criticism

Dr. Glasser wrote about the 7 deadly habits that kill relationships and the 7 caring habits that build relationships.Let’s discuss one of the deadly habits that we see so much of on social media right now.

Criticism comes of as being controlling. Glasser believed that people, especially children, have a basic need for control in their lives. When we criticize someone, we essentially take away their sense of autonomy, making them feel disempowered.

Criticism invites push back from the other person and it undermines the goal of creating personal responsibility and self-control.
It can damage self-esteem, leaving a sense of not having value (or unworthiness) It creates a lack of motivation to improve.
In family and school environments criticism is often seen as a tool to enforce authority and control behavior. This often leads to conflict, resistance and negative outcomes as opposed to real behavior change.

Criticism is a barrier to personal growth. It fosters negative emotions, weakens relationships, and undermines an individual’s sense of responsibility and self-worth.


Join us this September 19-21 and Learn about encouraging personal responsibility, replacing criticism with connection, problem solving without criticism. In other words, learn the caring habit to replace criticizing. DM me for more information.