As I sit down to write this, I find I am struggling with what to say. I notice that I feel both deeply weary and humbled to realize that this is the last month of 2020… I usually take time to reflect on the passing year in December, and begin to shape my plans for the New Year. When I think about 2020, however, I am filled with sadness: there have been so many days of despair and grief…

I imagine many of us feel this way.

So, I’m finding it challenging to consider my plans for the New Year. Instead, I am choosing to focus on this moment right now.

Please join me in taking a pause in deep compassion for all the people (ourselves included) who have suffered loss this past year… who are experiencing enormous levels of uncertainty and chaos… and who have been compelled to imagine life differently.

Deep breath of compassion.

And let us be grateful for whatever we can be grateful for – small things or big things. Moments when we met someone else’s pain in a way we felt good about… amazing moments of courage when we found a way to value all needs equally, even when life was trying… moments when, in the midst of uncertainty, we felt a smidgen of peace.

Deep breath of gratitude.

And together, amid a worldwide community of NVC enthusiasts, let us face this last month of the year with our eyes wide open and ready to face 2021 with strength and courage.

May we be inspired.

The NVC Academy team remains strong in support of you, our fellow trainers, and of all the members in our beloved worldwide NVC community. We look forward to continuing to:

• Reveal our blind spots so we may live closer and closer to our values;
• Provide quality NVC programs to as many people as we possibly can;
• Support our trainers in sharing their work even when in-person trainings aren’t possible in many parts of the world; and
• Finding new and creative ways to support you even more!

We are so happy to be part of this community with you. May you and those you love experience peace, and may you know you matter.

Bowing in respect,

Mary