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choice theory quote

Yesterday, at Mom and Jack's suggestion, I started reading "Choice Theory: a New Psychology of Personal Freedom," by Dr. William Glasser. Here's one of the many gems I've come across so far (p11):

"We also do not see how widespread misery really is because, again guided by common sense, a lot of us think that misery is caused mainly by poverty, laziness, or how the powerful treat the powerless. But in the affluent Western world, there is no shortage of miserable people who are well off, hardworking, and powerful. I have noticed that there is a high rate of divorce among successful academics, with successful professionals and business leaders close behind."

And another, from p13:

"Once any human problem occurs, for example, when marriages begin to fail, the couples rarely get back together. No matter how skilled the counselor, it is often impossible to save a marriage or a failing student. The answer lies in preventing these failures, not in looking for better ways to fix people who are failing."

Though the book focuses on four major types of relationships (husband-wife, parent-child, teacher-student and manager-worker), it's the tidbits regarding "significant other" relationships (quite confounding thus far!) that especially catch my eye. The other three don't trouble me in the slightest!

Expect more gems as I spot them. :)