pachy and ECHOES, I'm really pleased to see your interest in non-violent communication (NVC). I do have the book and have read the first few chapters and love it. It really resonates with me. I've had 2 workshops so far based on this book, one last Fall called The Power of Empathy, and I really liked it. (I'm very good at suspending judgment of people, possibly too good, so empathy in challenging situations is something I can learn to do.) I was able to take some of what I learned at the empathy workshop and immediately apply it in real life with good results, both at home and at work. I just used it yesterday on the phone with a difficult and demanding person and it just totally defused the situation and made her calm down. (Kind of like magic!) From that first workshop, I realized I had so much more to learn, so when this free workshop on NVC came up last week, I jumped at the chance. We did more in that workshop and just as that quote you provided said, pachyderm, it is hard to apply in real life! It takes not only understanding but practice. There is a 4 part communication pattern they recommend, and the 4th part is really hard for me, as it is usually in the form of a request. Making requests of people if extremely hard for me due to my deep-rooted fear of rejection. But it is something I would like to work on. Plus, what if you are brave enough to make the request and the person says point blank "no"? What then? How do I respond? I have a lot to learn.... I'm looking forward to tomorrow's workshop but just came down with a cold, so I hope I am not too tired after work tomorrow to go.

For anyone interested in NVC, there is a national organization and it has links to local groups so you could possibly find a source of training in your area.
http://www.cnvc.org/

Today I get to see T. My weekly dose of energy, healing, whatever it is we generate.... I think the sum of us adds up to more than the parts.