NVC News | Nonviolent Communication for the Next Generation

November 1 2017

Check out this new Mood Tracking app created by a Yale-based Emotional Intelligence scientist

nvcnextgen Conflict Resolution Skills, Empathy Development, Social and Emotional Learning

For those of you with Android or iOS devices, there is a ‘feelings’ app that can help a person assess one’s mood and associating feelings, and can be used as a tool for tracing feelings to their underlying source, in order to provide clear personalized information around one’s values and boundaries for navigating life with more ease and harmony.

http://moodmeterapp.com/

It costs $0.99, which though not free, is a pretty good deal for access to such a valuable resource, which we think this is.

Please let us know if you try it and what your experience was here.

November 1 2017

How Nonviolent Communication Liberated One Former Inmate

nvcnextgen Compassionate Communication, Conflict Resolution Skills, Empathy Development, Nonviolent Communication, Social and Emotional Learning

“In the Nas song “Rewind,” there is a part in the beginning when he says, “the bullet goes back into the gun. ”

As a former inmate who celebrated his one-year anniversary out of prison this month, I wish I could rewind and undo every violent experience I’ve had: a prison guard stripping me naked and requesting I spread my body out so he could ensure I wasn’t being used to smuggle contraband, the officer who threw me to the ground when he arrested me, putting his knee in the back of my neck because he thought I was a dangerous murderer with a weapon, even way back to the traumatic experience my auntie acted out against me what she could not express in words to empathetic ears.

During my one-year anniversary out of prison at a Welcome Home Ceremony organized by Freedom Project early this month, I realized that behind our pain — under our violent experiences, grief and loss — we actually find our true essence and power as human beings.”

Cultivating the Courage to make Authentic Requests

nvcnextgen Classes, Compassionate Communication, Conflict Resolution Skills, Empathy Development, Social and Emotional Learning

6/10/17
by Stephanie Weisman,
NVCnextgen Administrative Support Team Member

In my weekly NVC practice group, we’ve been dissecting the components of the “OFNR” NVC process, where ~

“O” = Observation
“F” = Feelings
“N” = Needs
“R” = Requests

During the course of this extended exploration, I’ve learned that “When we make an authentic request, we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable”, according to our facilitator, Joanna.

Some ideas for how to make clear & present requests, a way to prepare for the vulnerability of requesting:

1) Focus on a positive perspective or action instead of a negative focus:

“State what you DO want, not what you DON’T want.”

2) Check your facts to make sure the request is doable,

3) Absolve the receiver from blame, if they are unable to meet your request or your needs, by understanding that:

“Every ‘no’ is a “yes” to another scenario.”

4) Some connecting request examples, after expressing your feelings and needs non-blamingly:

a. “I’m uncertain about my ability to communicate clearly, would you be willing to tell me what you heard me say just now?”

b. “I’m curious what you heard me say?”

c. “I wonder if you would be willing to….?”

d. “Could you please….?”

**Remember that expressing feelings and needs opens up the possibility for understanding and reciprocity.