Connection happens most authentically when we learn respectful communication, which is our ability not only to speak, but to listen with an intention for peace and with a willingness to learn something new, open to taking in the perspective of another. It invites us to respond rather than react, especially at challenging times.

Often we are far more focused on being right than being happy. In order to be the change that we want to see in the world, we must shift our way of being with one another. We must have peace in our communication.

• Imagine connecting with the human spirit, in each person, in any situation.
• Imagine interacting with others in a way that allows everyone’s needs to be equally valued.
• Imagine creating organizations and life-serving systems responsive to our needs and the needs of our environment.

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) helps connect us with what is alive in ourselves and in others moment-to-moment, with what we or others could do to make life more wonderful, and with an awareness of what gets in the way of natural giving and receiving.

The basic principles of Non-Violent Communication are:

• Speak and listen from the heart.

• Encourage and welcome diverse points of view.

• Listen with discernment instead of judgment

• Share leadership and resources. • Decide together how decisions will be made.

• Work toward consensus when possible.

• Offer experience instead of advice. • When in doubt or need, pause and silently ask for guidance.

• Decide together what is to be held in confidence.

• Speak from your own experience and beliefs rather than speaking for others. Ok to disagree, it is not Ok to undermine reputations or work.

NVC language strengthens our ability to inspire compassion from others and respond compassionately to others and ourselves. NVC guides us to re-frame how we express ourselves, how we hear others and resolve conflicts by focusing our consciousness on what we are observing, feeling, needing, and requesting.

Non-violent Communication Language: It awakens empathy and honesty, and is sometimes described as “the language of the heart.”

A valuable resource to learn more about non-violent communication is Non-violent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D. The basic principles of NVC are inherent in Circle Principles and important if we are to experience authentic connections, shift from ‘power-over’ to ‘power-with’ and leave a meaningful make as we create a New Earth.

When we implement non-violent communication we connect compassionately and collaborate creatively - together.