Empathy vs Advice: How to Navigate Human Distress
The vast majority of the time, people know what to do. What they’re not getting enough of is empathy. Delve into the importance of empathy, effective communication and self-soothing techniques over advice-giving in times of distress.
Self-Trust: Our Ability to Respond
One of the things I love about the relational practice of nonviolence is how it frees me up to field a much wider range of responses from other people, without losing access to my compassion, courage or grounded clarity.
Field Any Response with Ease and Graciousness
Have you ever held yourself back from asking for what you actually want and long for? I notice this in myself sometimes, a reluctance to ask for something – especially if I really want it. Sometimes it’s because I am afraid of how I will feel if someone says no – almost as if disappointment […]
How to Give From Your Heart
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”] There is nothing more delightful than unexpected acts of kindness. Like when I woke up in the dead of winter after a snow storm, begrudgingly pulled myself out of bed to go and […]
The Freedom to Choose
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]A few days ago, I took my daughter to vote for her first time. We viewed the sample ballots online ahead of time to make sure we knew what it would look like and […]
The Essence of Communicating Well
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] A major pain point in our relationships involves getting stuck in cycles of reactive miscommunication. No matter how big our hearts are, compassion requires effective communication. This […]
4 New Moves for Dropping Judgments
If you’ve been feeling weary or disheartened and stuck in sticky emotional dynamics, I have a story for you this week. Last weekend, I found myself growing increasingly judgmental toward a particular family member, who I happen to love very much. She was irritating the bejeezus out of me. I was annoyed with her “moodiness,” […]
Disarming Conversations
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] I was recently listening to a woman sharing about what’s worked for her when it comes to bridging differences in her politically divided family, and I wanted […]
People Are Not the Problem
When something goes wrong, most of us respond by looking for something or someone to blame. We default into asking, “What’s wrong?” and commonly answer that question with either “You!” or “Me!” Judgments, criticisms, analyses, diagnoses, and power struggles usually follow, and we all know how those conversations go. It’s not really our fault, though. Let me explain.
Try These 3 Words When Things Go Wrong
Learning how to work with life, instead of against it, has been a lifelong practice for me. Over the years, I’ve explored a new way forward when things seem to be going wrong, including some useful mindset shifts, and three words I use to get unstuck from ideas of wrongness.