Five finds of the fortnight: Edition 40

How can we bring ourselves to speak up? And to speak up with care?

October 12, 2022

Dear reader,

Learning and practicing Nonviolent Communication is about practicing empathy for others, in our actions and in the way we listen to them. And yet, there’s another crucial element we can forget about when we focus on empathy: self-expression.

I like to say that empathy and expression are two sides of the same coin; without one, a conversation or dialogue is incomplete.

And yet, we can find it uncomfortable to speak up about our opinions, points of view. We may shrink away from expression, or express ourselves at superficial levels—both of which don’t give us an opportunity to be authentic, and to be heard.That’s probably because we’ve been told that we only have two options: to express our brutal honesty, or to say nothing at all.

With Nonviolent Communication practice, we find a new way: a way in which we can express ourselves with an honesty with depth and connection. It begins with taking responsibility for our experience and our expression.

What’s your approach to self-expression? Has Nonviolent Communication supported you in speaking up for your needs? Hit reply to respond—I love hearing back from you!

This weekend, Pranjal Tiwari and I are offering a workshop on self-expression. Scroll down for more info, and a special subscriber discount!

With warm regards,

Ranjitha

1. Quote of the fortnight

2. Image of the fortnight

Graphic representation by Bodhisatva VivekContent from Mary Mackenzie’s ‘Peaceful Living: Daily Meditations for Living with Love, Healing and Compassion’. You can receive these meditations in your inbox for free: sign up here.

3. Article of the fortnight

This week, I’d like to share with you Yvette Erasmus’s piece on domination cultures. What do domination cultures look like—and is there a different way we can live together?

4. Video of the fortnight: What really matters?

5. Upcoming event alert

What if I told you that you don’t need to choose honesty with care? That even when you speak up, you can do so in ways that can lead to more connection?Join Pranjal Tiwari and me this weekend for ‘Finding my Voice’: How do we learn to express ourselves, and do so in ways that can lead to us being heard?Click here to read more about the workshop.