Reflections on my learning
In this section, I share my reflections on my learning.
Reflections on CALF Mini Retreats
1.When I attended the CALF Mini Retreats, I found myself challenged a number of times. In Retreat #1, I made an observation about my overuse of, ‘I’m sorry’. Sylvia, the lead facilitator was curious about this and wanted to understand. I wrote this reflection in the course evaluation sheet as a result of the experience.
My reflection on saying, "I’m sorry”
2. At the second retreat, I enjoyed learning about stimulus and cause, and the challenge of offering empathy to a person who has been the trigger for a reaction in me. Below is my evaluation of Retreat #2.
My reflection on giving empathy when triggered.
3. At the third retreat, I was totally activated by a demonstration and practice of silent empathy, which had an immediate impact on my relationship with my daughter. I reflect on this in the evaluation below.
Concluding comment
When I think about my NVC learning journey, I am aware just how much I’ve learned despite having started from such a low base. While I think my parents did the best they could, I wasn’t raised in a compassionate household. My mother taught me to ‘have a thick skin’ and ‘laugh at yourself’, and ‘just ignore them’ when my siblings teased and hurt me. I have had to learn compassion and empathy. Yet, I have enthusiastically learned as much as I can, as fast as I can. I am celebrating being different; I love thinking about what is going on for the others; and relish the quality of my renovated relationship with my children, my mother and my partner, Tony. Learning NVC has been life changing.
