Five finds of the fortnight: Edition 31

Getting to know our feelings and needs: Self-connection and self-responsibility

Dear reader,

This Saturday and the next, I’ll be facilitating a workshop for Living Bridges on the basics of Nonviolent Communication: Getting to know our Feelings and Needs.

An understanding and awareness of our needs is central to the practice of Nonviolent Communication. Come join me at this workshop to understand how this can lead to:

  • Increased self-connection, or a deeper understanding of ourselves and our actions

  • More self-responsibility of our own experience.

You can join us for this two-session workshop irrespective of your previous NVC experience. If you’re new to NVC, you are most welcome—we’ll help you take your first steps here!

All proceeds from the workshop go towards supporting the Living Bridges program.

With warmth,

Ranjitha

1. Quote of the fortnight

Peace requires something far more difficult than revenge or merely turning the other cheek; it requires empathizing with the fears and unmet needs that provide the impetus for people to attack each other. Being aware of these feelings and needs, people lose their desire to attack back because they can see the human ignorance leading to these attacks; instead, their goal becomes providing the empathic connection and education that will enable them to transcend their violence and engage in cooperative relationships.

~Marshall Rosenberg

Quote courtesy PuddleDancer Press

2. Image of the fortnight

What’s your relationship with your emotions?

3. Article of the fortnight

Since learning NVC, I’ve been learning—more and more—to slow down and to be okay with not knowing. I enjoyed this piece by Dian Killian on how sitting with not knowing is connected to NVC practice.

“Sitting with not knowing is the opposite of reactivity. I don’t think it comes easily for us because when we face uncertainty, doubt, discomfort, or fear, we want immediate relief. We want to be heard, understood, respected, and whatever other needs are up for us — and we want it now to alleviate our anxiety and discomfort! This is natural and understandable because we have needs that are burning to be met.”

4. Social media post of the fortnight

If you’ve been practicing NVC, you are likely to have heard the phrase “What’s alive in you?”

Someone recently asked me what this means—and I made a short video (less than 1 minute long) on the topic. Watch it here:

5. Upcoming events

The NVC Academy is offering a diverse range of workshops in the coming weeks:

  1. In “The Communication Difference: Create the Life and Work You Want”, Yoram Mosenzon offers an introduction to the NVC framework. Ideal for beginners (one session only).

  2. Sarah Peyton’s course “Boundaries: Finding Your Brain’s Healthy No” will help you understand how you can draw boundaries with compassion for yourself and others.

  3. If you’d like to learn the art and craft of mediation (formally or informally!, join Yoram Mosenzon’s course, “A Deep Dive into the Art of Mediation”

Note: All of these are my affiliate links to the programs.