I find that my cultural conditioning leads me to focus attention on places where I am unlikely to get what I want. I developed NVC as a way to train my attention-to shine the light of consciousness-on places that have the potential to yield what I am seeking.

Often, instead of offering empathy, we have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling.

Don't hate the circumstance, you may miss the blessing

The key to fostering connection in the face of a 'no' is always hearing 'yes' to something else.

Public education for some time has been heavily focused on what curricula we believe will be helpful to students. Life-Enriching Education is based on the premise that the relationship between teachers and students, the relationships of students with one another, and the relationships of students to what they are learning are equally important in preparing students for the future.

We are compassionate with ourselves when we are able to embrace all parts of ourselves and recognize the needs and values expressed by each part.

It's harder to empathize with those who appear to possess more power, status, or resources.