The first steps along this path were about finding a way to help others. But in order to help others, sometimes you have to help yourself. Lacking wealth to give away to others who need resources, I may offer little more than service. But how did those who gave everything away, and lived for the good of others do so much good in the world with less than I have? What was their secret? That was the question asked by Marshall Rosenberg when he was a graduate student in Psychology. He studied the language used by the most compassionate people on earth. And he discovered much more. He discoverd what was in their hearts. And then he worked to apply and to spread their common ideas.
When I discovered his work, I recalled that someone had recommended his book "Nonviolent Communication: A Language for Life" to me many years before. This is why I am offering to share this journey with my community. So others may begin the walk as well. This is what drives me to blog, to offer meetings, and to hope for opportunities to share what his message can mean. These truths may be ancient. They speak to our human soul with a resonance that shakes us to the core. But they are meaningless unless they change behavior.
As I started this walk, I was surprised by it's potential to improve my own life while trying to improve the lives of others. And as I discover stories about how one person who walks this path can begin to weave together a community where it is most damaged, I hear how people are helping people hear one another. How people connect at the heart and repair damaged relationships. Those stories and the people I am meeting lift my hope to new levels. My hope is to succeed in more and more of my efforts to communicate with compassion. And to develop the skills with a group of people who understand how to weave connection within our communities and inspire compassionate action.
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When I discovered his work, I recalled that someone had recommended his book "Nonviolent Communication: A Language for Life" to me many years before. This is why I am offering to share this journey with my community. So others may begin the walk as well. This is what drives me to blog, to offer meetings, and to hope for opportunities to share what his message can mean. These truths may be ancient. They speak to our human soul with a resonance that shakes us to the core. But they are meaningless unless they change behavior.
As I started this walk, I was surprised by it's potential to improve my own life while trying to improve the lives of others. And as I discover stories about how one person who walks this path can begin to weave together a community where it is most damaged, I hear how people are helping people hear one another. How people connect at the heart and repair damaged relationships. Those stories and the people I am meeting lift my hope to new levels. My hope is to succeed in more and more of my efforts to communicate with compassion. And to develop the skills with a group of people who understand how to weave connection within our communities and inspire compassionate action.
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