Don't get addicted to your requests. Your objective is needs, not requests. Because then it becomes a demand.

If the other persons behavior is not in harmony with my own needs, the more I empathize with them and their needs, the more likely I am to get me own needs met.

We know the speaker has received adequate empathy when a. we sense a release of tension, or b. the flow of words comes to a halt.

When we understand the needs that motivate our own and others behavior, we have no enemies.

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.

When we listen for their feelings and needs, we no longer see people as monsters.

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