We are responsible for what we hear other people say and for how we act.

NVC is founded on language and communication skills that strengthen our ability to remain human, even under trying conditions.

NVC is language, thoughts, communication skills and means of influence that serve my desire to do three things: 1) to liberate myself from cultural learning that is in conflict with how I want to live my life. 2) to empower myself to connect with myself and others in a way that makes compassionate giving natural. 3) to empower myself to create structures that support compassionate giving.

There are the two main reasons we don't get our needs met. First, we don't know how to express our needs to begin with and second if we do, we forget to put a clear request after it, or we use vague words like appreciate, listen, recognize, know, be real, and stuff like that.

Any time you throw pain at a Jackal without a clear present request, within a millisecond he'll jump in.

When people hear needs, it provokes compassion. When people hear diagnoses, it provokes defensiveness and attack.

When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.