Years ago I attended a training on nonviolent communication given by the founder himself, Marshall B. Rosenberg.

To me words and the power they hold was eye opening. How we use our words, tone, and phrasing matters and to deny that doesn’t seem a luxury any of us can continue to have. We need to understand and accept how and what we say has a ripple effect, negative or positive. We are responsible for our actions, words and deeds. Even our body language and other choices we make speak volumes to those around us. If we are  aware, and open to noticing then we can self-correct if we are being negative or violent in some capacity. Aging deliciously means no matter our age, we can always learn and recalibrate.

Imagine if our focus in our schools, workplaces and fun places included learning and practicing kinder and effective means of communicating with one another? In a matter of a few years, making such a change, we could have large effective change. Yet change is one person at a time, so that might be the best starting place, huh?

Below is a snippet from Center for Nonviolent Communication website:

When our communication supports compassionate giving and receiving, happiness replaces violence and grieving!
— CNVC founder, Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is based on the principles of nonviolence– the natural state of compassion when no violence is present in the heart.

NVC begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and that violent strategies—whether verbal or physical—are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture. NVC also assumes that we all share the same, basic human needs, and that each of our actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs.

People who practice NVC have found greater authenticity in their communication, increased understanding, deepening connection and conflict resolution.

The NVC community is active in over 65 countries around the globe.

 Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing, and right-doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.
–– Rumi

Me too!

Check it out:   Center for Nonviolent Communication