We want to take action out of the desire to contribute to life rather than out of fear, guilt, shame, or obligation.

Empathy before education.

NVC enhances inner communication by helping us translate negative internal messages into feelings and needs. Our ability to distinguish our own feelings and needs and to empathize with them can free us from depression.

Before we tackle the gangs and the basic story, we have to make sure that we have liberated ourselves from how we have been educated and make sure we are coming from a spirituality of our own choosing.

The more we use words that in any way imply criticism, the more difficult it is for people to stay connected to the beauty within themselves.

As radical as it may seem, it is possible to do things only out of play. I believe that to the degree that we engage moment by moment in the playfulness of enriching life- motivated solely by the desire for its enrichment- to that degree are we being compassionate with ourselves.

It may be most difficult to empathize with those we are closest to.