I was in the midst of leading a five day retreat on a small island when I heard the news that Marshall Rosenberg, the creator of the NVC model, passed last week. It was poignant for me that this retreat--on freedom from triggers---started on the same day (February 7th) that he died. I had this … Continue reading Making Life More Wonderful—Celebrating the Life of Marshall Rosenberg
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No Feelings—No Aliveness: A Cautionary Tale for Us Human Beings
Over the holiday season I got to see the full length animated film, Song of the Sea, by award-winning director Tomm Moore. This film is a contemporary tale based on the traditional Irish (and Scottish) folk tradition of the selkie--a woman who is half human and half seal. In this version, two children, Ben and Saorise (the … Continue reading No Feelings—No Aliveness: A Cautionary Tale for Us Human Beings
Ferguson: Transforming Pain, Addressing Racism
Some of you may have been on the public call last week that NVC Academy organized to address recent events in Ferguson---it included numerous NVC trainers and almost 200 participants, including those who have focused extensively on diversity issues and responding to racism. If you missed the call, you can listen to it here. I love … Continue reading Ferguson: Transforming Pain, Addressing Racism
NVC: Focused On the Sunny Side of the Street
Years before Positive Psychology became the movement that it is today, Marshall Rosenberg, who developed the NVC model, already had discovered that focusing on the positive--what actually is happening (rather than what's "wrong") and what we do want (rather than what we don't or shouldn't want) is far more effective in creating the changes we … Continue reading NVC: Focused On the Sunny Side of the Street
Loving Ourselves “Harder”…
One of the songs I perform on dulcimer is "Love (Yourself) Harder." Some of you have probably heard it at retreats. The opening words go: Gonna' wrap my arms around myself--- A small pine cone with burrs around the edges Gonna sing myself sweet lullabies, Brush my own cheek with human kindness, yeah The idea behind … Continue reading Loving Ourselves “Harder”…
Don’t Get Yourself So Upset!
Here is the second blog post in our series edited by Jennifer Coleman, based on Connecting across Differences, which is being released in German this Fall. I hope you enjoy it! Wanting to read Connecting across Differences in English? You can get your copy here! ********** I loved playing board games with my older brother when we were … Continue reading Don’t Get Yourself So Upset!
Listening–When It’s Hard to Hear
What do you do when you're triggered? And when others are triggered too? At trainings and in coaching sessions, I am often asked this question. It seems one of the main reasons people learn NVC: to know how to respond in challenging situations with more choice (by better self-connecting and hearing others), with care and consideration … Continue reading Listening–When It’s Hard to Hear
Connecting Across Differences …Kommen Sie Mit!
I currently am in Germany, getting ready to lead four days of NVC workshops in Frankfurt. I also am excited about Connecting across Differences coming out in German this summer! To celebrate both, over the next few months I'll be posting excerpts and exercises from the book presented by Jennifer Coleman, a candidate for CNVC Certification, as guest editor. … Continue reading Connecting Across Differences …Kommen Sie Mit!
Radical Self-Compassion
I'm often in a kind of prison cell, Because I don't always love myself that well Gonna break free from that shame and blame, Free myself from that ball and chain... Gotta love myself, love myself, love myself harder... ~ from "Love Harder," by DK&theJoyMachine We have all been taught, so earnestly and repeatedly, that … Continue reading Radical Self-Compassion
The NVC Model: A Map to Your Intentions
When coaching clients or leading trainings about Collaborative Communication (NVC), I like to point out that the practice involves two aspects: the skill set---focused on four basic steps, and what I call the mindset---the consciousness or awareness---that informs those steps: our desire--for harmony, understanding, collaboration, or greater connection. If you're practicing OFNR by rote---going through "observations, … Continue reading The NVC Model: A Map to Your Intentions
Work Collaboratively 