Testimonials:
I benefited and continue to benefit so much from the NVC class that I took and the class materials I keep in a frequently consulted green folder on my desk. But I wanted to share with you something that my husband shared with me recently. Joshua himself did not take the workshop or read any of my materials. But as my main communications partner, he has noticed that since taking the NVC class, I have become a better listener, that we have fewer arguments, and that the ones we do have are more quickly resolved. Specifically, he said that he notices that I wait longer before responding to what he says when we are in a conflict. He can see that I choose my words more carefully, thinking about how they are going to be received and what the impact of them will be. (I think he is referring here to times when I am aware of and practicing being an empathetic listener, one of the first skills we learned, maybe even in class 1.) I should add that I, too, have noticed that the whole tone of our disagreements is more respectful, less defensive, and more connective; I remember you once stressed to us that it doesn't matter if the person you are talking to knows anything at all about NVC. Rather, when we ourselves tap into our NVC place, we can change the whole dynamic and improve the outcome just with our own choices. I could go on - the changes in my life have been many and profound but I thought the confirmation from an outside source of the power of this skill in action was a pretty strong testament. Many, many thanks, Cindy, for bringing this tool to our community.
Teresa Youngblood
There's been a palpable intensity to your dedication to NVC and the class, and I wanted to make sure that the value I place on this course was reflected in my response. I've been working on this reply for hours now (I set today aside for this), and I'm still having trouble finding words to express how deeply this process has affected me without resorting to hyperbole. I guess at its simplest, I'm mourning a past filled with regret over hurt that could have been prevented by NVC, while celebrating a future hopefully filled with meaning and connection. Before this course, I had given up on having any kind of human connection. I've been desperate for independence, but connection and independence have seemed mutually exclusive to me. Now I feel hopeful for a future where I can experience acceptance, fellowship, and maybe even partnership eventually, without necessarily sacrificing my own freedom.
Tallahassee Community Member
Studying Non Violent Communication (NVC) with Cindy Bigbie has helped make a fundamental change in the way I view communication and conflict resolution. Before studying NVC, communication with others was based on judgment, ego and expressing my wants. Conflict resolution meant arguing my point until I had my way or until I was too angry or disgusted to argue further. Now I am cognizant of communicating in the language of compassion, empathy and universal needs. I have learned not only to deeply listen to myself so that I know exactly what I am feeling about a situation and what those feelings are based on, but, also, to be present and connected with the person I am in conflict with. I have learned the importance of asking for clarification of what I understand is being expressed. Cindy Bigbie has taught me that conflict resolution is not about getting what I want; it is about coming to an understanding of what satisfies the universal needs of those involved. NVC has helped me communicate in a kind, loving way with myself and with those I care about. NVC has helped meet my need to truly connect with those I love.
Craig Stubbs, LMT
Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner
I'm so excited because I almost got in an argument with mom, but I caught myself and I realized mom was really just needing empathy, so I started throwing needs and feelings that I thought fit the situation. As soon as I changed my attitude from 'I want her to be a certain way' to 'what are you needing and feeling' I like literally saw her facial expression, heard her tone, and like the whole situation's atmosphere change into this wayyyy more relaxed kinda feeling. I was soooo happy, and glad that I really did empathy with her and didn't get into that argument!!! I just wanted to tell you and thank you for your support in teaching me the NVC process.
Claire Frey
NVC had taught me to hear and see the deeper meaning in people's words and actions. Because of this I've been able to see humanity in a new light that has inspired in me a greater hope for the possibility of peace. For this reason, I recommend that any lover of concord (or hater if discord) learn the process of NVC so they may in turn practice it in their lives and plant their own seeds of peace. Ms. Cindy is an excellent teacher whose patience and kindness contributed to my learning and growth in the process of NVC.
Darializa Avila (Rickards Student)
NVC has helped me become a better and more effective communicator. It has taught me that no matter who I talk to, whether it’s my husband, brother, co-worker, my mother, or simply a stranger in a store or on the phone, by speaking with compassion, rather than judgment, the outcome is almost guaranteed to be positive! I continue to use my NVC skills daily in one form or another and thank Cindy for being so dedicated to "spreading the word" of NVC- it is truly a gift to anyone willing to practice it.
Jackie Stubbs
The workshop helped me to practice NVC in a safe and supportive setting. I think everyone should take the course because it opens up a world of connection that is very hard to reach or even see otherwise. Cindy is a patient, kind, and honest instructor which is invaluable when learning to speak NVC.
Nicole Frey
When I first started taking the NVC class with Mrs. Bigbie, I took it because, well all my friends took it, and I thought “why not try something new for a change?” And it really was a change for me. It changed my way of thinking and interacting with people for the better. The class helped me see and recognize deeper needs in a person; resulting in having a more mutual understanding with people. Which assisted me and not only me, but everyone who took the class to learn how to be more compassionate and a kinder human being. And that’s the most important thing. As far as the teacher goes, she was brilliant. I truly know she got the point of NVC across to everyone in her class. Actually there are many more things important to NVC. But the one moral that stood out to me personally was that if we handle conflict right, with need-based language, we can grow closer than before. She also showed us conflict is unavoidable, it’s just how we choose to handle it, and she gave us the correct tools necessary to handle conflict. All in all she was a great teacher. Loving and caring, who knows what she is talking about, and knows what she wants from her students and how to get it – in requests.
Royce Kahn (Rickards Student)
I benefited and continue to benefit so much from the NVC class that I took and the class materials I keep in a frequently consulted green folder on my desk. But I wanted to share with you something that my husband shared with me recently. Joshua himself did not take the workshop or read any of my materials. But as my main communications partner, he has noticed that since taking the NVC class, I have become a better listener, that we have fewer arguments, and that the ones we do have are more quickly resolved. Specifically, he said that he notices that I wait longer before responding to what he says when we are in a conflict. He can see that I choose my words more carefully, thinking about how they are going to be received and what the impact of them will be. (I think he is referring here to times when I am aware of and practicing being an empathetic listener, one of the first skills we learned, maybe even in class 1.) I should add that I, too, have noticed that the whole tone of our disagreements is more respectful, less defensive, and more connective; I remember you once stressed to us that it doesn't matter if the person you are talking to knows anything at all about NVC. Rather, when we ourselves tap into our NVC place, we can change the whole dynamic and improve the outcome just with our own choices. I could go on - the changes in my life have been many and profound but I thought the confirmation from an outside source of the power of this skill in action was a pretty strong testament. Many, many thanks, Cindy, for bringing this tool to our community.
Teresa Youngblood
There's been a palpable intensity to your dedication to NVC and the class, and I wanted to make sure that the value I place on this course was reflected in my response. I've been working on this reply for hours now (I set today aside for this), and I'm still having trouble finding words to express how deeply this process has affected me without resorting to hyperbole. I guess at its simplest, I'm mourning a past filled with regret over hurt that could have been prevented by NVC, while celebrating a future hopefully filled with meaning and connection. Before this course, I had given up on having any kind of human connection. I've been desperate for independence, but connection and independence have seemed mutually exclusive to me. Now I feel hopeful for a future where I can experience acceptance, fellowship, and maybe even partnership eventually, without necessarily sacrificing my own freedom.
Tallahassee Community Member
Studying Non Violent Communication (NVC) with Cindy Bigbie has helped make a fundamental change in the way I view communication and conflict resolution. Before studying NVC, communication with others was based on judgment, ego and expressing my wants. Conflict resolution meant arguing my point until I had my way or until I was too angry or disgusted to argue further. Now I am cognizant of communicating in the language of compassion, empathy and universal needs. I have learned not only to deeply listen to myself so that I know exactly what I am feeling about a situation and what those feelings are based on, but, also, to be present and connected with the person I am in conflict with. I have learned the importance of asking for clarification of what I understand is being expressed. Cindy Bigbie has taught me that conflict resolution is not about getting what I want; it is about coming to an understanding of what satisfies the universal needs of those involved. NVC has helped me communicate in a kind, loving way with myself and with those I care about. NVC has helped meet my need to truly connect with those I love.
Craig Stubbs, LMT
Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner
I'm so excited because I almost got in an argument with mom, but I caught myself and I realized mom was really just needing empathy, so I started throwing needs and feelings that I thought fit the situation. As soon as I changed my attitude from 'I want her to be a certain way' to 'what are you needing and feeling' I like literally saw her facial expression, heard her tone, and like the whole situation's atmosphere change into this wayyyy more relaxed kinda feeling. I was soooo happy, and glad that I really did empathy with her and didn't get into that argument!!! I just wanted to tell you and thank you for your support in teaching me the NVC process.
Claire Frey
NVC had taught me to hear and see the deeper meaning in people's words and actions. Because of this I've been able to see humanity in a new light that has inspired in me a greater hope for the possibility of peace. For this reason, I recommend that any lover of concord (or hater if discord) learn the process of NVC so they may in turn practice it in their lives and plant their own seeds of peace. Ms. Cindy is an excellent teacher whose patience and kindness contributed to my learning and growth in the process of NVC.
Darializa Avila (Rickards Student)
NVC has helped me become a better and more effective communicator. It has taught me that no matter who I talk to, whether it’s my husband, brother, co-worker, my mother, or simply a stranger in a store or on the phone, by speaking with compassion, rather than judgment, the outcome is almost guaranteed to be positive! I continue to use my NVC skills daily in one form or another and thank Cindy for being so dedicated to "spreading the word" of NVC- it is truly a gift to anyone willing to practice it.
Jackie Stubbs
The workshop helped me to practice NVC in a safe and supportive setting. I think everyone should take the course because it opens up a world of connection that is very hard to reach or even see otherwise. Cindy is a patient, kind, and honest instructor which is invaluable when learning to speak NVC.
Nicole Frey
When I first started taking the NVC class with Mrs. Bigbie, I took it because, well all my friends took it, and I thought “why not try something new for a change?” And it really was a change for me. It changed my way of thinking and interacting with people for the better. The class helped me see and recognize deeper needs in a person; resulting in having a more mutual understanding with people. Which assisted me and not only me, but everyone who took the class to learn how to be more compassionate and a kinder human being. And that’s the most important thing. As far as the teacher goes, she was brilliant. I truly know she got the point of NVC across to everyone in her class. Actually there are many more things important to NVC. But the one moral that stood out to me personally was that if we handle conflict right, with need-based language, we can grow closer than before. She also showed us conflict is unavoidable, it’s just how we choose to handle it, and she gave us the correct tools necessary to handle conflict. All in all she was a great teacher. Loving and caring, who knows what she is talking about, and knows what she wants from her students and how to get it – in requests.
Royce Kahn (Rickards Student)
