Cultivating Connections

Let’s be honest, communication can be a minefield. Remember that time you said something offhand, and your partner took it the wrong way? (We’ve all been there!) Suddenly, a minor annoyance explodes into a full-blown argument. Enter Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a communication method that’s been transforming my interactions with the world. Why NVC Matters Before NVC, I…

From the age of four, I was taught English by a Keralite (a person from the state of Kerala, India) lady. I was corporally punished for each mistake I committed. Somehow, subconsciously I had developed these winds that gained crescendo for negative bias toward keralites because of the twelve years of physical and mental abuse I faced. As Hanson (n.d) mentions,“The…

Our chemistry teacher in senior secondary school was a great teacher and as Palmer Parker (2009) posits, every good teacher has a strong sense of personal identity infused in their work. Our chemistry teacher was unique in his approach to his profession. He was present, engaged students in learning activities in and outside the classroom…

In the realm of human development and well-being, two powerful frameworks emerge as guiding lights: the Circle of Courage and Positive Psychology. Developed independently, they converge in their emphasis on fostering resilience, fulfilment, and flourishing. Together, they create a comprehensive approach to nurturing individuals and communities. The Circle of Courage, pioneered by Larry K. Brendtro,…

In the pursuit of meaningful relationships, vulnerability play’s a significant role in cultivating connections. Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly and Kristin Neff’s Self-Compassion books provide profound insights into how vulnerability can enhance our connections with others. By embracing vulnerability with compassion, individuals can build deeper, more authentic relationships that creates a sense of belonging and mutual…

Overcoming Negativity and Building Empathy In my previous role as an elementary school head teacher, I’ve encountered situations where parents express negativity. It’s tough not to let it affect me. When things don’t go as expected, I tend to feel down. But I’ve learned that focusing on the good stuff helps me bounce back. Sometimes,…

In the field of education, the relationship between teachers and students is crucial for the growth and development of students. Parker Palmer profoundly articulates this in his work, asserting that teaching is a deep form of self-expression, highlighting how a teacher’s inner life influences their teaching methods and interactions with students (Palmer, 2017). Palmer suggests…

I wanted to make my parents proud of me. So, I took up science stream in my high school. What did I want to become when I grew up? I would look at my parents, and they would she wants to become a computer engineer. And I would simply nod to that. But my English…

Goleman in his article emphasizes the mirror neurons which are brain cells that help us stay connected, these neurons work when we act or see someone else doing it, which makes it easy for us to understand and open our feelings to make use of connections. Therefore, as a leader we need to be socially…

Self compassion helps to crate an environment where we feel other people and connect ourselves with them. It is related with a wide variety of close interpersonal relationship benefits. These connections may be intricate and reciprocal, meaning that self-compassion fosters relational and emotional well-being while positive social relationships foster self-compassion. People who have higher levels…